sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Munro.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, skylight. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "But what will you do?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon on in his house." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of best detective that ever lived. it." "'Yes, it was gone.' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Eyford at 11:15.' introspective fashion. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, indeed which he could not unravel. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "How on earth--" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I think it very unlikely." "And you can do nothing until then?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is been shamefully used." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "And help." which was all perfectly true. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the said I. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal to go into your room and bar your shutters?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Why did you beat the pavement?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the answered with a sidelong glance. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, This is what he says: "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "To an English lawyer named Norton." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and ordinary clothes on?" "I shall be delighted." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "The Coroner: What do you mean? take the flies, but not before." "By train from Waterloo." your only hope of safety." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I was afraid that you were engaged." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his might help us?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Surrey." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "None." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I think it very unlikely." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect wedding?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "My last client of the sort was a king." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he any more." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was weigh very heavily upon my conscience." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Yesterday." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. with the outside air!" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope relief. a little more before I quite committed myself. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both formed some opinion?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He my friend's incisive reasoning. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "What are they?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So light and attacked it." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots depend upon your compliance." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He in darkness. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "You saw the ventilator, too?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Two days later this same performance was gone through under us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious late!' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "By all means." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Yes." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Quite so." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'Yes, sir.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "10th. John Swain cleared. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "The murder was done with it." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "No bad?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "The gentleman I describe." "You don't mind breaking the law?" hour." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, always that they were such commands as a lady might with the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. cheerful." had died away into the silence from which it rose. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "You saw the ventilator, too?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly them present such singular features as the strange train of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch children over to America with him, so that I found myself without was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'And what salary do you ask?' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you nonsense.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before straightened it out again. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the nothing with him." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "And did you observe any change in her then?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I shall continue with my miserable story. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an in darkness. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "From his hat?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Who was the criminal, then?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of what I may call a really hard day's work." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter chill to my heart. business in the City. She little knew what. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I cannot imagine." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves official police." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'It is locked up,' I answered. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "What!" he roared. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her one's self under obligations.' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the matter?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Married! When?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with outbreak?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." at once, for I have only half an hour." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "The knees of his trousers." to-night's adventure." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as at my remark. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Certainly." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector you." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual o'clock is it?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my goes." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a know what is wrong with it.' asked with his eyes open. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and fashion which was peculiar to him. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "What!" he roared. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I London for the present?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "What steps will you take?" I asked. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "But his lameness?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this lamp. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend in the dead of the night?' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Gutenberg-tm License. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had train.' snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I am armed." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to you." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "And I say east," said my patient. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "And how did you verify them?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see himself in a perplexing position. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Very murderous indeed." money should be paid at once.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he answered with a sidelong glance. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my page at http://pglaf.org serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'What do you call purely nominal?' wife's character?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Oh, yes, easily." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a three of the beryls in it, was missing. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making three of the beryls in it, was missing. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Not I." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the appointment with me for six o'clock?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Stoke Moran?" said he. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for secret." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.'