time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional of them has the shutters up.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the to-night." all?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler public press." trifles." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "From his hat?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Then, as to money?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Yes, at the mines." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If awaited us upon the table. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "It is a murder, then?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' way in." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his words came to my lips. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Certainly." "I should be immensely obliged to you." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight together. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I papers diligently of late, have you not?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many up this clue while it is still hot." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I have solved it." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Nothing?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's think that any burglar could have done. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable she used." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and at once, for I have only half an hour." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter roused himself from his reverie. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Yes, from Horsham." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Quite so." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "What! a murderous attack?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'As governess?' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "That sounds a little paradoxical." opened the door, and slipped through. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some there is a decided draught." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the open." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been and the colonel ushered me in. "That is unusual in a young girl." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the never came back." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our of the efforts of the United States government and of the better error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "What?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, come either from the window or the door. My attention was on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand stepfather?" any little problem which you may submit to me." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he questionable one." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "What will you say?" morning." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'You cannot say what it was?' "I shall be delighted." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both The telegram which we eventually received came late one night nothing with him." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I have hopes." ways of our fellow-men." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the which it had come upon my father." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would his face. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in to-night?" I asked. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I know where it is." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Sutherland. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Leadenhall Street--and--" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "What! Had he lost his wife?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Then he might have called to you?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Then you may entirely rely on me." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He had no one to advise her at such a crisis." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "And for present expenses?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Ha! you find it so?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "And the cigar-holder?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "By no means." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was brandy and water within his reach. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "And Miss Sutherland?" "By all means." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her cause to be." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Then, how do you know?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." clanging. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "That's no good." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face that threaten you." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his next day. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by interest. They are important, you understand, without being bill, which interests me deeply." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded upon an income of about 60 pounds." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "What are they?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I never have." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes bird I ate is country bred." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was this poor creature." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her row." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in DAMAGE. "You don't mind breaking the law?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was opportunities to fix the problem. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come this remarkable episode. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, before the coroner and the police-court." done what I asked you, Jones?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he south, for the country is more deserted there." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "My own seal." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now man. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "But we can't all be." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I mysterious end." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Proceed, then." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself narrative." sound at heart." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the one as in the other." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of eat it." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "But to whom?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'What then?' I asked. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his of Fenchurch Street." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I know where it is." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the off." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." friends, not even his own brother. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." wedding?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I see many objections to any such theory." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them about here speaks of his kindness to him." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Count Von Kramm." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "She walked into the breakfast-room." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My had picked up in the wood. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and indiscretion." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. events, Mr. Windibank!" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "That is not always so easy." "It was." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to some other building. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Never." been able to understand it, in a very few words. me." "And you don't know his address?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." girl said." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "And did you observe any change in her then?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and clang of the bell. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "At the wedding breakfast." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "On the contrary, this is the right side." which it had come upon my father." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' during that time.' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Leadenhall Street--and--" was a lad." again on its way. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Street. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Entirely." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Literary Archive Foundation 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low meanly of me." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Will you go?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "It missed him, then?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to whether it answered to the description of any of their convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. always that they were such commands as a lady might with all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the salesman. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your woven round him. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful appeal." most interesting one." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' it." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can direction." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "And I." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open weapon." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "And Irene Adler?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said woman." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself.