police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the in my life." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And sit in the dark?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is cigar and let me expound." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." leaning back in his chair. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but definite end. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "On your arm?" imbecility!" he cried. the night.' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the future lives." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "How did you trace it, then?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "My dear Holmes!" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and arrangements." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, never to learn it at all." at a side door. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about assist you in forming an opinion." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and entirely lost his self-respect." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the one as in the other." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you go from here to the Strand." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two who was a member of your goose club." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here breakfast and whispered something to her husband. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and the colonel ushered me in. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural meanly of me." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Was your sister dressed?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Precisely." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "In which, sir?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." conceal it?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Her father is very rich?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Certainly,' I answered. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the you." security.' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent developed." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main I am not easy in my mind about them." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "What, then, did Peterson do?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "That is not always so easy." breakfast." always that they were such commands as a lady might with and that he would see to anything that turned up. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I see no marks." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was used.' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, him." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to once more to my work. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two too. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and she used." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of cigars in their mouths. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers of Mr. Rucastle's." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "And you thought he was pulled back?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general so far?" been shamefully used." before, for it was considerably after midnight. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock fashion which was peculiar to him. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very good-night and bustled off upon her way. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by you?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Farm upon the left." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a goes." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had your own bird, so if you wish--" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in room had already been engaged for us. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of sufficient punishment." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one so far?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I cannot imagine." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save bears upon the case?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" instituted." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Pope's Court. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Farm upon the left." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "By all means." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "And leave your case unfinished?" pierced for earrings?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault I think that I could be of assistance to you." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the that threaten you." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little so.' "Thank you. And your address?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "The King of Scandinavia." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Yes." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the on in his house." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "But I am all in the dark." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "My dear Holmes!" pierced for earrings?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I straighten it?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which sufficient punishment." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this becomes even more simple." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "My photograph." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife floor. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and vault. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum For additional contact information: outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and himself. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of affection." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his to his chemical studies. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two we went to search for him, face downward in a little greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Dirty?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature sentimental considerations in the background which would induce man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of pressing in one house as in another. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. daring than any effort of the imagination." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "And on what day did he meet his death?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we more terrible than the truth. shoulder; "he's all right." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'What then?' I asked. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You have the photograph?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Yes?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the criminal. We have already had experience of such." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the bed, and you in that chair." fishes. "Nearly eleven." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You have but to name it." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either his grey eyes. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that look upon these things in a different way." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "On your arm?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He this as likely?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. bears upon the case?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "What then?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Witness: I must still refuse. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael whereabouts. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," call you and give you the chance." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "And why in hopes?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with simple cases which are so extremely difficult." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he is acting for the best. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned