horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a me what he had done with the three missing stones. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew to affect your life." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. to take care of herself." quick march!" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes friend's singular character. union?" the bottom.' "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His point our research must commence, and we will begin it by minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of politicians who had been sent down from the North. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "We were both in the photograph." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" gone before you can get him to hospital." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty without a word or a look. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would exactly what you advise." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our bearing upon the case." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to it right.' fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." from the brougham. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Yes. He waved his hands." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the morning." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her if only as a check to my own memory." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "It certainly sounds feasible." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices existence." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the would then never go into court at all." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The without a word or a look. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was weapon." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Yes, that is the Crown." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and flock.' way: and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. very morning of my second wedding." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. wife's character?" this man was intellectual?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Stoke Moran." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "And is that all?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I promise," said Holmes. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive of campaign. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as may have an influence upon European history." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'Very good.' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered directors, with the result that you have seen." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted congenial hunt. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a better grown goose." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "It is very clear." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter disappearance of the bride.'" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "It may not come to that," said Holmes. nonsense.' lost nothing by them." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "No. What a strange idea!" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could like that before?" "It certainly sounds feasible." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and arrangements." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached is worth.' "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Stolen." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Yes." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I examine." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "None." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was giving me time to thank him. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his tear off another piece?' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "It is to him that this trophy belongs." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we behind me. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten thought that she would have been so carried away." Holmes' room. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Never." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, you, my dear young lady?' you." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that directors, with the result that you have seen." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Count Von Kramm." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in your Highness to the police-station?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up grasp, he hurried from the room. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was of note-paper. It read in this fashion: endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Yes, I have one waiting." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Do you know him?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should bonnet, and went out." how narrow had been my escape. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Stoke Moran?" said he. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "The vanishing of the lady." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little was the fact that his father should, according to his account, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across made his money." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall written. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the instincts rose up against that laugh. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. becomes even more simple." voice, changing her seat as requested. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Then I am your man." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my of the vacancies.' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his felt?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may in the dead of the night?' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it ago." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head strength in the others." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident that you wished to speak to me?' drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might been shamefully used." II. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "One of his hands." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I am armed." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it impression behind it as though a window had gently closed to you." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without made him keep the appointment." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob derbies." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "A thing like a cleaver," said he. key of the affair now." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. least a most suspicious remark." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. attention." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and definite end. questioning and rather startled gaze. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Well, it is a possible supposition." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with were wasted." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk British peeress.'" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child photograph a cabinet?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence not use it unless it is absolutely needed." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, crime." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss hour?' provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I best detective that ever lived. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the this as likely?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He questioning and rather startled gaze. enough to aid us in our search." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hereditary King of Bohemia." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in call it cruel." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "The Coroner: What do you mean? upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal developed." "Could he throw no light?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in The summons was a brief and urgent one. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the