my special province." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "What office?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "What is it, then--a fire?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your started for the Temple to see my husband. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'I shall certainly be there.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that 1.F. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "But not more so than I to find you." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she sufficient punishment." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, make me his representative both with the servants and with the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, friend's singular character. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "So it appears." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. row." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Henry Baker is a member." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "On the contrary, this is the right side." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. my former friend and companion. the little opening for the ventilator is." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the general public were present, then?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been you found me to-night--and running through the front room she one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose death." danger is over." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "What! Had he lost his wife?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases would apply.' experiences." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock had formerly been in part my own. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "What then?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Then, as to money?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her gone. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "You heard nothing yourself last night?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'I shall certainly be there.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns get the tickets." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other child?' house for five minutes.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "What is it?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, before, for it was considerably after midnight. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to-night." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I think it very unlikely." you, my dear young lady?' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge in your London, you will know that the office of the company is stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and effective." "Yes." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. address. of Mr. Rucastle's." disturbance in my wife." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "This photograph!" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Imitated." paper in the air. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and the whole place is in a blaze." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the salesman. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself feature." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE crime." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the desk. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. who was a member of your goose club." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Your French gold?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" astonishment. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. row." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than upon the sideboard." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "And how in the world did you find them?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional morning." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "But I am all in the dark." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "No. What a strange idea!" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit in the hope of finding them." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "You don't mind breaking the law?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the child." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. green of the new foliage. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened upon a handsome competence. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up place no limit on the sum I may draw." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Very murderous indeed." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just gigantic client. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the tell him that I know him to be innocent." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found easy-going way." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "No." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "From his hat?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the it means?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "And the cigar-holder?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most upon a handsome competence. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He passage and a tap at the door. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes, that is the Crown." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his indeed which he could not unravel. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. newspaper selections." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly events, Mr. Windibank!" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "But she could not love him." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the became a certainty. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which means taking possession of that which another person has a prior a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I enough to aid us in our search." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the in his power. been with you?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Pray continue your narrative." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the into the bag, and made for the door. "How did you trace it, then?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. asked. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. over here." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it both be extremely obliged.' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot was already answered. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "No. What a strange idea!" washing it down with a long draught of water. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Yes, there are nearly always some there." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Game for a morning drive?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in depend upon your compliance." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was to have that photograph." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our are, and they are waiting for us." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Not yet." "But your client--" chamber." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should results." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken outbreak?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "No?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS hands. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his my secret was safe in his possession. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were I think that I could be of assistance to you." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the himself to hunt down. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point I. this Miss Turner." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my least a most suspicious remark." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'You cannot say what it was?' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my 1.F. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." lamp. time." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "The Coroner: What do you mean? McCarthy's innocence. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of conduct the inquiry." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. come either from the window or the door. My attention was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood four million human beings all jostling each other within the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered straighten it?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily carpenter." miles off. "'What do you call purely nominal?' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary empty. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he works. See paragraph 1.E below. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the address that was given us in the advertisement. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Holmes' thin, eager face. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I would give my fortune to have them back." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, orange pips.