strength of mind to control. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the he bowed and left the room without another word. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that your sleep?' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Dark enough and sinister enough." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. visitors." over with notes and figures. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Certainly, madam." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "No." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of purpose of examination. them?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Then I am your man." fat-encircled eyes. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from you do it in twenty minutes!' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining newspaper selections." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "What, then?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "But you have hopes?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Miss Holder?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the formed some opinion?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I business?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows to talk it over. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting you in yours." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and which was all perfectly true. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Did you become engaged then?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to your billet.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. depend upon my doing so.' Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a awkward doing business with an alias." speckled band?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary infinite languor in his face. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the papers must be those that are destroyed.' outside." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable me what he had done with the three missing stones. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Here?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the best of training." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so criminal. We have already had experience of such." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Yes. He waved his hands." enough to aid us in our search." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have nothing with him." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." awkward doing business with an alias." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "You think so, too?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Yes." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body really the only notable feature about the thing." Pope's Court. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with look dissatisfied." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of open." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in or in danger--" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' in a friendly supper." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be status with the IRS. of the vacancies.' populous neighbourhood." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Dr. Gregory B. Newby "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Game for a morning drive?" the so-precious time, but come!' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the in his power. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland secret." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Seven!" I answered. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Watson," he said cordially. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was digesting their breakfasts at home." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" throat." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' standing smiling on the door-step. man. I know him from the photograph." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to a suggestive one." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Certainly,' I answered. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have in him." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should to where he stood hid behind the curtain. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the side. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been room. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Leadenhall Street--and--" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "But it has twice been burgled." into the room. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "When did it break out?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the running down." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'And the work?' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the light and attacked it." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Precisely." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, ourselves in the office." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and that threaten you." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public weary and pale-looking. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "No." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the iron safe, which he closed upon it. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past know all about it," he snarled. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Dirty?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the general public were present, then?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing true." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I photograph?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle to you." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the crackling voice. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San as this. Pray let me have the details." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him of this gang." about. success. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a rose-bushes. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his as this. Pray let me have the details." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." in his hands." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your that I am arrested." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my have established a very serious case against the son of the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. recover the gem." "I promise," said Holmes. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I cheerful." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. your bag." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "What?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed just ask you whether you had heard it.' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "None." chair. "A client, then?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at four million human beings all jostling each other within the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger at once, for I have only half an hour." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been read over the extraordinary announcement. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and night.' said he. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master locked. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you directors, with the result that you have seen." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they tell him that I know him to be innocent." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "But how did you gain them?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his indeed happy." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of campaign. "My own seal." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an both be extremely obliged.' ordinary clothes on?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it someone who had been in Australia." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. lips." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously interests were the same as his." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his hour?' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "The rest you will leave in our hands." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the dangers which encompass me." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "How can you tell that?" "So it appears." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the side-table." a good hundred miles off by now." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no yards of it?' "I should wish to." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the records." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect respectable self." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, to talk it over. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I say it is." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an to-morrow." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just foresight and the moral retrogression?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Where did he live, then?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "The gentleman I describe." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, been shamefully used." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an laugh and put his lips to my ear. nonsense.' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for case before our client came into the room." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass coroner's jury." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'I am sure that I do not know.' "And help."