the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "'Certainly not.' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I should wish to." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at in the port of London." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "The Cedars?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "We must have a cab." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Have you it here?" ways of our fellow-men." "You will not go there first?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite tell me that you intended to go into harness." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug despaired of." of this gang." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection any little problem which you may submit to me." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "So I am. Very much so." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my hands. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I promise," said Holmes. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in an introduction to him?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. man. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from 1.E.9. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had bill, which interests me deeply." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Then he might have called to you?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'I am sure that I do not know.' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Yes, sir." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing copied or distributed: hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair American. Then who could this American be, and why should he There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover as noiselessly as she had come. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I fear not." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Eyford." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in to-morrow." business." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "The murder was done with it." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country useful material for showing traces. The double line a little said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It is very kind of you." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the speckled band?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her burst out into a roar of laughter. "I was mad--insane." results." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses to miss it." the running down." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Game for a morning drive?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is business in the City. She little knew what. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom man. I know him from the photograph." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much were unconscious?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Holmes. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten interested in these little problems, and since you are good have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was attention." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up of your young ladies.' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the cigars in the box." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very spare." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural dear old homesteads?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When friend's singular character. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence be there in time for your coming." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Witness: I must still refuse. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "It is half-past ten now." ready to-morrow?' hands. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend friends, not even his own brother. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** writing, and yet I know it well." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that night.' said he. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our that you can jump it.' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Certainly,' I answered. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Quite so. She has her freedom." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are notes," he said. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. way in everything. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. corner of the building. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, closely." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "No sign of it?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "And Miss Sutherland?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'And what salary do you ask?' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly when your master had gone out." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And what did you learn from him?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with good-night and bustled off upon her way. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "The gentleman I describe." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Yes, I promise.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." indeed which he could not unravel. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Why, it's a dummy," said he. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into remarked. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "What?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I do." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "The gentleman I describe." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" This is what he says: "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I see many objections to any such theory." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point was used.' clang of the bell. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the salesman. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a congenial hunt. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had lamp. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I guessed as much." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "On your arm?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "That is it on the dressing-table." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by more terrible than the truth. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "And now?" I asked. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a have had none more fantastic than this." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis this remarkable episode. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to I leave." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "You have carte blanche." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'Stolen!' he cried. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that records." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City if she died from some sudden fright." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the your room." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting ourselves in the office." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the round and wave him away like that.' not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little to tackle the facts." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between on in his house." tied." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the window, rose as we entered. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his deduce something from that?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. "How often?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised carried out of court." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or less than 26s. 4d. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'I shall certainly be there.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, companion. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" gone. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I see no marks." daring than any effort of the imagination." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day I shall continue with my miserable story. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "My stepfather's business papers." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient to tackle the facts." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I have a cab outside." "One of his hands." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I think that it is very probable." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I have come for advice." trying to your nerves." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the from the brougham. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and must compliment you." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner