the one as in the other." "And why?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Eyford at 11:15.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass your equipment. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the papers diligently of late, have you not?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Of what day?" "Married! When?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "How can you tell that?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Yes, from Horsham." "At what time?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, to change my dress. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for thought that she would have been so carried away." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things digesting their breakfasts at home." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "So I am. Very much so." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," said I. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" sofa. This way, please!" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. interests were the same as his." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well, some hundreds of times." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Then I do not see the point." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been pierced for earrings?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then matter." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a dear old homesteads?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to have that photograph." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I cannot tell." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "You horrify me!" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen points to suicide?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "An accident, I presume?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than mystery may be cleared along those lines." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "No, my brougham is waiting." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "And sit in the dark?" to a light-house. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a this Miss Turner." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons your only hope of safety." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back been with you?" "At what time?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote showing my impatience. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and delighted to hear it," he said. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Never,' said I. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Arthur Conan Doyle rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Married! When?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through other means.' mystery." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Then I shall certainly come." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered chair. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the inquest, and which are worth considering." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me shag which I had seen upon the previous night. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'Quite sure, dad.' among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and good for you to do.' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works points to suicide?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for neither fascinating nor artistic." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Why that?' I asks. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in everything which you would wish to know." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Not in the least." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right think you a quite exceptional woman." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We some mystery and the punishment of some crime." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis as noiselessly as she had come. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "My private note-paper." a very grave face. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Never." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Well, some hundreds of times." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the inquest, and which are worth considering." "My stepfather's business papers." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'Then let me do so?' vault. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last that you can jump it.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things shall use the carriage to-night." someone who had been in Australia." read over the extraordinary announcement. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Ten will be early enough." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Your sister is dead, then?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain derbies." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when happened." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "What?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I will, Miss Turner." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You present." one of the states of the Union." "Yes." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's bachelor.' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "My last client of the sort was a king." colonel looking down at me. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never again before evening." "Very much so." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "You are all wrong." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "And leave your case unfinished?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud there has been an enclosure here!" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. breakfast?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for bedroom door." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant them?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the tragedy. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little he died? I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to sofa. This way, please!" "I fear not." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." than to us. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Dr. Becher's." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into newspaper selections." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "The landlord of the Alpha." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently ready to-morrow?' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, think, you have already met." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker memory. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up cigars in their mouths. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "You have it, sir, just as it happened." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Stolen." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing together. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted crackling voice. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Very truly yours, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "What is it, then--a fire?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! important." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped felt?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had His smile broadened. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these to you." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "But he might be a bachelor." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was matter." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice gone. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "What then?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "But his lameness?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of woven round him. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'Where could I find him?' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and seem to you to be relevant or not." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss girl said." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Yes, he did." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner within hail.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Well." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Leadenhall Street--and--" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You have compromised yourself seriously." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Foundation accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Pray continue your narrative." one else, I think." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is main points of my analysis." "But we can't all be." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and