the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport himself to tell his story. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though http://gutenberg.net/license). Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, your billet.' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Do you go out much in society?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended morning." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very writer." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I to talk it over. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'Never.' Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "He said too much." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" respectable self." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the little opening for the ventilator is." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred me upon any point which I do not make clear." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend beyond words. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS footfalls from the street. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a away into the river." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not have I gained?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no to-night's adventure." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in conclusions. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the felt?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he death." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be of them has the shutters up.' look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same one of the states of the Union." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the roots. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At this truth that in these little records of our cases which you away into the river." at home. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Yes, I have one waiting." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Then I can wait in the next room." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "What!" he roared. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I cannot say that I have." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'Is purely nominal.' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Then I can wait in the next room." to you." shoulder; "he's all right." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "And I to find an enemy." him to go away.' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see residence of the great financier. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the stones. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out redistribution. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future of the vacancies.' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "One of his hands." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Arthur Conan Doyle question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Is he quiet?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "You horrify me!" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Yes." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. in him." Doctor, of the paper and the date." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a astonishment. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for pierced for earrings?" way in." less than 26s. 4d. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Eyford." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It is half-past ten now." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how in darkness. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I all?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I have seen the police." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "But what is it you wish?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to status with the IRS. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My British peeress.'" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my 1.F. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the stones. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that when you have done it." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Sutherland. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to with you?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a without a word or a look. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "I am following you closely," I answered. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of nonsense.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "But it has twice been burgled." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Two days later this same performance was gone through under The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater carriage. It was a chestnut." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Breckinridge is his name." six. Come in!" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said his knees, staring into the fire. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three overpowering excitement and concern. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical business?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "How did he come?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or now. It seems that there had been some informality about their you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Have you good authority for what you say?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the despair." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And when will you call?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his charged with?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "No." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Literary Archive Foundation depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Count Von Kramm." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Stoke Moran." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no rooms." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "And you can do nothing until then?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she bedroom door." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually best detective that ever lived. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as my friend's incisive reasoning. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "No." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I saw her in conversation with her maid." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "And why?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would to-night's adventure." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. do.' serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and had formerly been in part my own. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have invisible to me," I remarked. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons would apply.' get her out of the way." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are opened the door, and slipped through. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "It is half-past ten now." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal strange features which were associated with the two crimes which postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day God! What an exposure! What can I do?" him. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "And your mother is alive?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Pool. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' there." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen was it brought him the coronet? seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it are, I think, all that we need." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." direction." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "It is possible." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as married her." I held the little printed slip to the light. "It certainly sounds feasible." "But it has twice been burgled." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'About the same.' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. passage and a tap at the door. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing was keenly on my guard against him. my friend's incisive reasoning. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Yes." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Yes." narrative." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "If I can be of use." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked south, for the country is more deserted there." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly row." "And did you observe any change in her then?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up little trying to do so much typewriting?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the questioning and rather startled gaze. "Was he the only applicant?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Oh, no.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone did not hear it also.' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "And why?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "It looks newer than the other things?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed