over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you father's young wife. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "No." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "About a month then." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to that threaten you." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he quick march!" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last see a sister of mine apply for." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when go back?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Stolen." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the families. Now for the facts. developed." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I am all attention, madam." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Mrs. Toller serenely. key of the affair now." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his becomes even more simple." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I there when the Rucastles went away." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with question," said Holmes, smiling. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and the whole place is in a blaze." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided my special province." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "You horrify me." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, learned something! Where are the gems?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which was the fact that his father should, according to his account, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which stalked out of the room. "'Which dealer's?' for and were ordered to this address. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "And why?" without a word or a look. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Of what?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" business." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "We were both in the photograph." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that photograph a cabinet?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser with her." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no that threaten you." "Not I." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "The doctor?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Absolutely?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we careless servant girl?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "On the contrary, this is the right side." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he envelope. villagers almost as much as their master. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, she used." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain 'I should be able to look after that for you.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Pool. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I am about to be married." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the gentleman's clothes. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'I am sure if I had known--' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point to-night's adventure." "Perhaps I have." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. October 9, 1890. third from London." "Married! When?" "Not him." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. said he. "I assure you that I am in your hands." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the him. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of the way of danger. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have once more. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "What have you to say now?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, evidence," I remarked. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I would give my fortune to have them back." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant might help us?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I cannot imagine." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE rat could hardly pass through." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Never." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "What of the rat, then?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." entirely devoid of interest." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated was used.' him to go away.' not as remarkable as your advertisement." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a digesting their breakfasts at home." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Just look it up, then." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Perhaps I have." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "The rest you will leave in our hands." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the ceiling. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now or in danger--" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. observed. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late about here speaks of his kindness to him." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "But what is it you wish?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Because he was handy and would come cheap." have been better. It is all right." "By train from Waterloo." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in furiously. there is a decided draught." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the so-precious time, but come!' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Then, how do you know?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his a room. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the devil!" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Chief Executive and Director a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "And why?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were bled considerably." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and problems help me to do so." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Why did you beat the pavement?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great seem to you to be relevant or not." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "My dear Holmes!" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Precisely." "But how will you look?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I ashen face. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come could gather together that I was able to avert another public and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I was mad--insane." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you window when the police appeared." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "No, distinctly professional." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Imitated." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a him!" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the matter over." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry instincts rose up against that laugh. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "The gentleman I describe." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." she to prove their authenticity?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'I have heard so.' "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is there was no need for father to know." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the of the way of danger. the running down." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "My dear Holmes!" them present such singular features as the strange train of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in my special province." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Foundation sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." once more for Briony Lodge. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. residence of the great financier. "How are you getting on?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that train from Paddington which would bring you there at about black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Perfectly so." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were nice household for a young lady." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and be there in time for your coming." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Nearly eleven." "Stolen." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it might have a private word with us. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I cannot as yet see any connection." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the late." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Holmes. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of meanly of me." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon presented which may be striking and bizarre without being hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." of his shoulders. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United that?' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I have got?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as papers." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it room. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," before the coroner and the police-court." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "And I." "No, thank goodness, she did not." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Holmes, the busybody!" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "The gentleman I describe." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came