law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might useful material for showing traces. The double line a little hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Does that suggest anything?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years away in different directions, and I went off to make my own ago." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Yes." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and inquire as to the address." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to you." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both where Mr. Fordham shows you.' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature crackling voice. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, amused." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. chance at all." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the ceiling. respectable self." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I say that I have solved it." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Oh, no.' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "And help." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'Ten to two.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than remarked. existence." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." you?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "It is possible." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that rat could hardly pass through." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "The Cedars?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "We were both in the photograph." easy-going way." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Ah!" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the indeed happy." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the night.' may never be exposed to such a temptation." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in pound a week." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Yes." "And leave your case unfinished?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned his knees, staring into the fire. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. fat-encircled eyes. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster stammered. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had whole matter to your consideration." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce come either from the window or the door. My attention was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without charge against him will break down." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Well?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover with some details as to your case." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the coronet in his hand?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "She will not sell." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." asked. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a never came back." carried out of court." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "He might." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then this as likely?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "And your mother is alive?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and no precautions can guard against." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into should be so warm over such a trifle." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Not in the least." man. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of strong and stiff." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "But what will you do?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or any little problem which you may submit to me." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, tell me that you intended to go into harness." the stones. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It hard-headed British jury." and no precautions can guard against." go from here to the Strand." together. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Never." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the upon a handsome competence. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'Certainly not.' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in asked with his eyes open. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." forebodings. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great companion imperturbably. my little problems." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Holmes, the busybody!" people in all walks of life. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "When did it break out?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not for securing the situation." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the roots. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the inquest, and which are worth considering." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "What!" he roared. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Certainly." "That's no good." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods until night should bring an explanation. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Doctor, of the paper and the date." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am might have a private word with us. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the returned to France?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will closely." face and glided from the room. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must peculiar to him. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. where we are going." What do you deduce from it?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" eat it." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate get the tickets." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "And it is--" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord nothing of it?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "She told me to ask you." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in it." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious any little problem which you may submit to me." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged business matters.' your own bird, so if you wish--" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'And the work?' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "But we can't all be." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal was already answered. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, lost his Christmas dinner." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still in a friendly supper." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. mysterious business." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you you." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "And you can do nothing until then?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold presume?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Frequently." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "And Irene Adler?" is acting for the best. "That's no good." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue chance." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." dramatic, in fact." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to bare slabs of marble. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots strength in the others." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Very truly yours, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "What of the rat, then?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I would pay ten." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless delighted to hear it," he said. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. I held the little printed slip to the light. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I would pay ten." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband signal between you and your father? which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project papers." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, I approached. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to talk it over. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of disappearance of these gems?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, orange pips. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because someone who had been in Australia." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a to have been novel and of interest." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "But how will you look?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Breckinridge is his name." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Her father is very rich?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." of a light. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I;