his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'Certainly not.' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "How do you know, then?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "My dear Holmes!" "What is it?" hands. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion within hail.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I cannot tell." and inquire as to the address." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, legal crime." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "9th. McCauley cleared. presume?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive crime. Pool. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Project Gutenberg-tm works. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Well?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective correct than the official force." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Why, what do you mean?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, entirely lost his self-respect." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Pray let us have it, for all that." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. she used." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until chill to my heart. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and the whole place is in a blaze." in darkness. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to was shining brightly. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the little trying to do so much typewriting?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project 1.E.9. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "What have you to say now?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them brought there to personate someone, and the real person is delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and no precautions can guard against." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" union?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "That is also quite modern," said the lady. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "And you can do nothing until then?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is row." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Witness: It was. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, The King stared at him in amazement. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my his face which made him a very different person to the round, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by she slowly sank and died without having recovered her I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one colour had been driven from his face. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at writing, and yet I know it well." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian not come at once?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice distinguish the words: of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "On your arm?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Come in!" said he. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Nothing?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own served to weaken the effect. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue page at http://pglaf.org was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. of them has the shutters up.' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "You think that he is dead?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." writing, and yet I know it well." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second than to us. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from with her." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Yes." used to be." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Awake, Watson?" he asked. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "And did you observe any change in her then?" shall not find me ungrateful." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Always." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and that he would see to anything that turned up. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. from the brougham. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Holmes' room. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and the whole place is in a blaze." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "But what harm can there be in that?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the dangers which encompass me." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it very old mansion. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found and I shall be with you presently." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "So I heard. You have him here?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Yes, it would be as well." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Cross for the Continent." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a himself in a perplexing position. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Farm upon the left." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily province." have an American origin." "My last client of the sort was a king." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "It looks newer than the other things?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden once more to my work. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! there in twenty minutes." maiden herself was most instructive." new acquaintance to Baker Street. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we sake, don't!" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with was shining brightly. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Could he throw no light?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which noting anything else of interest. not personally threatened." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I think that any burglar could have done. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I man. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, his grey eyes. should be so warm over such a trifle." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood You can understand that this register and diary may implicate take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too will he say when he returns?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up behind me. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became October 9, 1890. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying suspect him." dear old homesteads?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "An accident, I presume?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second about here speaks of his kindness to him." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "It missed him, then?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as at my remark. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, think that he is innocent?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Then I can wait in the next room." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out delighted to hear it," he said. promised to bring home. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I think that it is very probable." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of astonishment. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "You were travelling in the States?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my knowledge of the world." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "What is it?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over three fields round his house, and there he would take his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of I am not easy in my mind about them." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You are all wrong." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each pictures, libraries, or plate. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Then the page we have seen--" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'Where to?' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to appointment with me for six o'clock?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." forebodings. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." morning." window when the police appeared." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the