toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two that you saw all that I did." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, compunction about shooting them down." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' outsides of the windows. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Holmes' thin, eager face. behind me. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." already been minutely examined." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to chamber." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring whereabouts. "Yes." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Street. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "By no means." nonsense.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "The Coroner: What do you mean? not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "One of his hands." that he has suffered." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the loss of it. "Where, then?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'About the same.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the tapping his fingers upon the table. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter there!' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'Most admirably.' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "On the contrary, this is the right side." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "No." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I carpenter." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I have hopes." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." is worth.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Just look it up, then." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing hair?' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose DISSOLVED. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the head. So long, then!" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' appeared upon the scene." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the hopeless attempt at recovering them." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. quite distinctive." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the coronet in his hand?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Tired-looking or fresh?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Very. But will he see it?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Well, but China?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "How many? I don't know." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I case before our client came into the room." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. comes from the middle window." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had anything to do with the matter?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Married! When?" telegram would bring me down to your help." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin bill, which interests me deeply." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Countess of Morcar's?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the Friday. Was it to be in church?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose weary and pale-looking. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you as he folded up the epistle. said he. was it brought him the coronet? was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As with the outside air!" "It surprised me." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" weapon." when you have done it." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at too. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'Entirely.' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only had this final quarrel? prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the suddenly upon us." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Did you observe the colour?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "10th. John Swain cleared. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' to arrive at through this?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any later, upon the night of May 2nd." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "The vanishing of the lady." "The vanishing of the lady." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'I am sure if I had known--' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Precisely." should be so warm over such a trifle." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'What do you call purely nominal?' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "One of the highest in England." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, will not take me long to tell. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'No, I know no one in these parts.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had his cane at the bell-pull. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to hurried by. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange letters?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' important." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her considering the formidable letters which were received by himself him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I am following you closely," I answered. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." your billet.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his I held the little printed slip to the light. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands a few minutes he said that it would be all right. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, one else, I think." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have have been better. It is all right." "Then I can wait in the next room." me. You must get home instantly and act." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in that the gas is not laid on in his house?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case bare slabs of marble. jewels which you have stolen?' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural may have an influence upon European history." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter neither fascinating nor artistic." in his hands." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Yesterday." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy night.' said he. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Were they all fastened this morning?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "You have but to name it." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I will try. What is it?" "Yesterday." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "No bad?" go from here to the Strand." later, upon the night of May 2nd." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: not as remarkable as your advertisement." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady formed some opinion?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, my special province." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you your equipment. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'Very good.' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. there was no need for father to know." so.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and wait." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is there." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our now. It seems that there had been some informality about their a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the driver. unclasping of his long thin hands. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "And that is--" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I guessed as much." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'I am sure that I do not know.' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the bed, and you in that chair." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' disappearance of these gems?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, lumber-room." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "How did you deduce the select?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition carriage. It was a chestnut." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses one of the states of the Union." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "What steps will you take?" I asked. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must beyond words. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It is his hat." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Nearly eleven." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are front of me. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the driver. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Then the page we have seen--" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. annoyance, but no jest. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, weighed down with some great anxiety. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in on re-entering her father's house?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped have not had my rubber." was feeling which was the fattest.' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Well." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Your French gold?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that article?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was