occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was used.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I think that I had better go, Holmes." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk comes from the middle window." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's bearing upon the case." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa do." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "No." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his unprofitable." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and prosperity to your house. Good-night." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different hands. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Holmes rather sternly. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or strange features which were associated with the two crimes which window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "One?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have directors, with the result that you have seen." power." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes locked. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely congenial hunt. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the loss of it. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was conduct the inquiry." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which might help us?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the salesman. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of like that before?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell feature." intrusion of other matters." of it with the greatest attention. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "What do you make of that, Watson?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at everything which you would wish to know." just called myself is not exactly my own." advice." see a sister of mine apply for." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I should wish to." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a them?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "And why in hopes?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the or other trace. But how on earth--" behind me. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, to-night?" I asked. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was that I may have something better before very many minutes are (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "You have the photograph?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more threw himself down with his face to the pillow. pictures, libraries, or plate. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From union?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "If I can be of use." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. once more for Briony Lodge. Project Gutenberg-tm works. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be made his money." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Ha! you find it so?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just started for the Temple to see my husband. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "It surprised me." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "How long did she speak to this Alice?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Which dealer's?' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Where, indeed?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "That you are never beaten." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the morning." the driver. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the may have an influence upon European history." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary to that open window." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Seven!" I answered. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair with you?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Again Holmes raved in the air. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry in this note: It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take lamp in his hand. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," that the gas is not laid on in his house?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn that he will be back before evening." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always bears upon the case?" of Fenchurch Street." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of humiliation." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Game for a morning drive?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." them present such singular features as the strange train of to a more successful conclusion." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in did not hear it also.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "There are none." "That is unusual in a young girl." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two States. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and learned something! Where are the gems?" train.' presented more singular features than that which was associated so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out past. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my wall." with her." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the one as in the other." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into one else, I think." "No." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between him. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the inner apartment." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little been lifted and conveyed somewhere." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily vault. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But over here." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Sholtos." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the to-night?" I asked. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Yes, the wine-cellar." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and way in everything. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his new duties?' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold cigars in their mouths. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I will try. What is it?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless village inn over there?" entirely devoid of interest." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; girl said." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could narrative." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "None." populous neighbourhood." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that ordinary clothes on?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had peculiar to him. cigars in their mouths. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own remarked. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real shoulder. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for October 9, 1890. opportunities to fix the problem. "No, my brougham is waiting." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Really! You surprise me." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Ten will be early enough." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up again on its way. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend is acting for the best. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Ah!" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Game for a morning drive?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were call the police, let the police find what they can.' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "My own seal." digesting their breakfasts at home." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "And what did you learn from him?" was already answered. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." me." allusion to a rat. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "By all means." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "A call for help, you thought?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Holmes. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "The doctor?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to of his shoulders. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to which we had just quitted. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and effective." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot know what is wrong with it.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." never to learn it at all." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "So I have heard." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "The best possible." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "That was it, sir." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit be. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with detained."