and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "It is half-past ten now." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so we went to search for him, face downward in a little promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, out." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it should be so warm over such a trifle." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Lestrade of Scotland Yard." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "And how did you verify them?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman your most interesting statement." "'Why that?' I asks. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should hardly wander." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Yes." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the warnings." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "In San Francisco, a year ago." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he cost them two and thirty pounds." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. derbies." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door murdered man." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Deserted you?" to tackle the facts." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its bled considerably." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "How did he come?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the light and attacked it." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the matter?" man. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'There is a drive, then?' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your me, and I could not think that his explanation of the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "The gentleman I describe." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me them present such singular features as the strange train of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then said I. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'Quite sure, dad.' "I was afraid that you were engaged." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was ordinary clothes on?" prison!" of receipt of the work. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "An accident, I presume?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "But what is it you wish?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do of campaign. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Yes." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Cross for the Continent." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Yes." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her populous neighbourhood." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His brought there to personate someone, and the real person is dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those stepfather?" to have that photograph." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the tragedy. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and DISSOLVED. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'Quite sure, dad.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two on in his house." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "It's nothing of the kind." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' daring than any effort of the imagination." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after if she died from some sudden fright." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to take care of herself." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence instincts rose up against that laugh. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest them?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "So I have heard." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. have not had my rubber." "'How far from the body?' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'About the same.' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." pierced for earrings?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I horse could go." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "What steps will you take?" I asked. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that III. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was outside. The King stared at him in amazement. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'Yes, sir.' "Quite so." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the present." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "What then?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Then you may entirely rely on me." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. front of me. one else, I think." a little more before I quite committed myself. him." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the followed. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid is acting for the best. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? it were putty." you." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the south-west, I see." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Do you know him?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him of your young ladies.' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the has little to do with my story." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of Mr. Rucastle's." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his huge brown hands. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some union?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about opportunities to fix the problem. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for excitement. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the friend's singular character. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, ceremony." union?" "Yes, that is the Crown." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, correct than the official force." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears in darkness. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Not in a good cause." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had writer." "And why?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "And now?" He raised his hand. been." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I have seen the police." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and effective." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk that I can to serve you." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Henry Baker is a member." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning undoubtedly my uncle's." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to entirely lost his self-respect." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Nothing?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'There is a drive, then?' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "And sit in the dark?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive answer." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Witness: It was. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal she to prove their authenticity?" as he folded up the epistle. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it advice." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with money should be paid at once.' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Watson," he said cordially. said I. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand have been better. It is all right." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted more solid." character. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I cannot think." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Why that?' I asks. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very thought that she would have been so carried away." conduct the inquiry." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Not in the least." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him obstinate." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to-night?' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'Which dealer's?' the side-table." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, main points of my analysis." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "And how did you find out?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I villagers almost as much as their master. reach." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'Yes, I promise.' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and I shall be with you presently." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he know what is wrong with it.' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Texas, I think." "Here?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Lee, in the county of Kent." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "What will you say?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of points to suicide?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do I think that I could be of assistance to you." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear