smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "We have tried and failed." ready to-morrow?' I was concerned in it." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "This photograph!" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, kindly on the shoulder. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my way in." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "From his hat?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Who was the criminal, then?" conclusions. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. lost nothing by them." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and more solid." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "The vanishing of the lady." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Is 4 pounds a week.' him!" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "There are none." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS retorted upon me, and I on you." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom wall." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin conversation I have gathered that they have been married about some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. straighten it?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms means taking possession of that which another person has a prior abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "The best possible." narrative." down. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the house with me." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Absolutely none." past. that there was nothing in it, after all." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and woman." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the loss of it. in his hands." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one not, dad?" she asked. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Arthur Conan Doyle "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done dead, shall be safe with us." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Game for a morning drive?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate where Mr. Fordham shows you.' which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" passage and a tap at the door. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. in his hands." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the one else, I think." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "May I see it?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." not within a twentieth part of the market price." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, thought that she would have been so carried away." "I should like to see him very much." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after examine." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. sofa. This way, please!" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an pierced for earrings?" behind me. hopeless attempt at recovering them." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "No?" "I have come for advice." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, purpose of examination. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "May I see it?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to dramatic, in fact." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part in him." very old mansion. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need himself to hunt down. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a what I may call a really hard day's work." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Can I be of assistance?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "You are hungry," I remarked. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight intrusion of other matters." "'What then?' I asked. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a over here." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'Certainly not. But why?' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his golden eyeglasses. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. returned to France?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One salesman. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the way in." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It a suggestive one." get the tickets." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of his shoulders. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and populous neighbourhood." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "BALLARAT." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one ago." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep awaited us upon the table. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Could he throw no light?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'Where to?' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm will be renamed. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and the colonel ushered me in. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "No." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he already been minutely examined." Holmes' thin, eager face. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And how in the world did you find them?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the best of training." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Then he might have called to you?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white became a certainty. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "In answer to an advertisement." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the companion. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door was already answered. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time where we are going." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "What have you to say now?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong dates and names. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'Yes, sir.' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little hour?' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "What is it?" Holmes' face clouded over. "Pray do so." "Perfectly so." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "The knees of his trousers." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to where we are going." are, I think, all that we need." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much problems help me to do so." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I cannot as yet see any connection." astonishment. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "The decline of his fortunes, then?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. vanished into the darkness. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has For additional contact information: tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is criminal. We have already had experience of such." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "They are typewritten," I remarked. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "You have but to name it." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this breakfast." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Ha! you find it so?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Where, then, is my wife?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Nothing?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "But how will you look?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I one's self under obligations.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." are, I think, all that we need." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The said he. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed in the hope of finding them." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I shall most certainly do so." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. of your young ladies.' "How are you getting on?" "Married! When?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than morning." look dissatisfied." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "In San Francisco, a year ago." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I all-comprehensive glances. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ cause to be." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Not yet." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the away to you." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the inquest, and which are worth considering." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting he. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more already been minutely examined." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to miss it." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and no precautions can guard against." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and reach." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." your bag." burst out into a roar of laughter. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first nonsense.' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. is," said he presently: with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Come in!" said Holmes. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Certainly." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out her also." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year recover the gem." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "He said that you could solve anything." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in strength of mind to control. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Perfectly so." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "How many? I don't know." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And way in." interested in these little problems, and since you are good combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I will try. What is it?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel some mystery and the punishment of some crime." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Arthur Conan Doyle and files of the old papers, following the future career of every retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had My friend smiled. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." murdered man." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'Never.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to locked. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than what do you think they found in the pockets?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Leave Paddington by the 11:15." guilty one." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his