"Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will straightened it out again. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just about here speaks of his kindness to him." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Then you may be so with me." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Witness: It was. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Deserted you?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "An accident, I presume?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa whether it answered to the description of any of their husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My papers on the sundial.'" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. nothing of it?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Yes, it was twisted." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I writing, and yet I know it well." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been attention." business?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you your troubles." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, said he at last. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to take care of herself." acquaintance?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, not, dad?" she asked. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes, only one." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between people in all walks of life. has little to do with my story." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry him." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Have you it here?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Has he come with you to-night?" and effective." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, chance." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself very peculiar words of the dying woman?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. something of him before." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely side. and inquire as to the address." Cross for the Continent." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new have one." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's in his power. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I never have." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in gone. "My private note-paper." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It came here." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was name is different." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that mysterious end." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Then, how do you know?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Chief Executive and Director a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were remarked. other lovers by making love himself." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "May I see it?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to them present such singular features as the strange train of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his off." little adventures." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love you." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which go back?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite there was no need for father to know." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'It is locked up,' I answered. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "But who is he?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and have this put in the evening papers." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Stoke Moran." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Did you become engaged then?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "The Cedars?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at coat-tails." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my that, and I came down." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "To ruin me." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the running down." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged was used.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a followed. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Why? What do you mean?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "No, distinctly professional." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "You are hungry," I remarked. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "You horrify me." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is things are very often connected not with the larger but with the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an morning." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "And you can do nothing until then?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story you." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They interested in these little problems, and since you are good to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Her father is very rich?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the mystery." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of Mr. Rucastle's." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "There are none." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Did he not advertise?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I would pay ten." never will be, entirely cleared up. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I am in hopes that she does." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. easy-going way." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Not in the least." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical observed. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Well, some hundreds of times." "But how?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Well, some hundreds of times." long narrative. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'No, I know no one in these parts.' electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke question. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point girl said." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If singular points about the case. What did the police think of the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced be sorry for having acted so harshly." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, new acquaintance to Baker Street. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I guessed as much." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of will take you up to see the machine.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Why did you pick him?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic man. I know him from the photograph." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "He is dead," cried several voices. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" closing the door. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no when your master had gone out." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "What is it?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from fasten all the windows?" it right.' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Precisely." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." must compliment you." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my whatever might befall. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Yes." few hundred pounds.' heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know 'I should be able to look after that for you.' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'About the same.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "What are they?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' strength in the others." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into which I could not give. He asked for Alice. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "And you can do nothing until then?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his down. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Yes, it was twisted." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened that the gas is not laid on in his house?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Not in the least." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, asked. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray vault. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "It is no ordinary one." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when with you?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and passage and a tap at the door. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur like gravel from a pit.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have