flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "And how in the world did you find them?" quick march!" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Yes, certainly." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day wedding?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry as the one I chose?' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'And the work?' British peeress.'" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at such attractions and accomplishments?' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Street. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your evidence," I remarked. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies stammered. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." to arrive at through this?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and looked back. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning all that?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Then what has happened to him?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "No?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of campaign. closing the door. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good retorted upon me, and I on you." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Where could I find him?' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "By no means." business matters.' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at to change my dress. "Do you know him?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "And for present expenses?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite there when the Rucastles went away." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed felt?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Yes?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Who by?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the views." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "His face fell immediately. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." highroad, where all traces were lost. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Yes." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "We must have a cab." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'Certainly not.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event outside." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down guilty one." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. golden eyeglasses. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "If I can be of use." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute yet." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute that?' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Well?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it papers." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to as the one I chose?' "Ten will be early enough." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from States. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Count Von Kramm." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of awkward doing business with an alias." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss people don't know." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the very morning of the wedding." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was The King stared at him in amazement. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is if I call to-morrow?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Well?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Clair, of Lee." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "That also I could fathom." eavesdroppers?' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his rat could hardly pass through." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently carried out of court." cheerful." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. that I may have something better before very many minutes are How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Pool. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the of Mr. Rucastle's." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. his fortune, and I went back to pa. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute tell him that I know him to be innocent." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "What of the rat, then?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went fait accompli?" ashen face. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in signal between you and your father? Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it 11:15.' deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." whether it answered to the description of any of their tassel actually lying upon the pillow. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I saw her in conversation with her maid." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "There is the writing." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Which surely he restored to their owner?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." developed." "He said that you could solve anything." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled with the outside air!" Pool. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "You horrify me!" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a mysterious business." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "My dear Holmes!" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but became a certainty. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my back into the street. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child disappearance of the bride.'" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly fact, we may call it conclusive." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and someone who had been in Australia." "The best possible." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Never." your billet.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by have not had my rubber." breakfast?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily directly by questioning you." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may swore that no one else had been in the front room during the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "But how will you look?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I think that I had better go, Holmes." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the very morning of the wedding." cost them two and thirty pounds." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard hour." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and inquire as to the address." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Where, indeed?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." orange pips. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who status with the IRS. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "But I am all in the dark." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax remarked. returned to France?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "No?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and awaited us upon the table. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason side. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, man. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew new duties?' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had bled considerably." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the directors, with the result that you have seen." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in that there was nothing in it, after all." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good indeed happy." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it bare slabs of marble. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was leave you to your papers for a little." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Awake, Watson?" he asked. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. was not a bird to be seen there. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand four million human beings all jostling each other within the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of Mr. Rucastle's." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To delighted to hear it," he said. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and all of them with the keenest interest. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Lestrade of Scotland Yard." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in hand, madam?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And why in hopes?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. business in the City. She little knew what. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Will you go?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. be best to do. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we For additional contact information: money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather situation." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. yards of it?' empty. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in be sorry for having acted so harshly." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," sneer upon his pale face. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "And the cigar-holder?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. 1.F. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off door?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something brought there to personate someone, and the real person is cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Where is it, then?" "Yes, certainly." a good hundred miles off by now." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is cigar and let me expound." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Not in a good cause." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be