after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "What then?" "How on earth--" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the public press." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the so-precious time, but come!' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us since then to throw any light upon what became of him." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I galvanised. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my companion quietly. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a locked." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Very. But will he see it?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the depend upon my doing so.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime nights." astonishment. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you vanished into the darkness. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "This concluded the examination of the witness." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and distinguish the words: on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but it with his own hands." it with his own hands." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in some mystery and the punishment of some crime." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My narrative." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in again, where I was soon asleep. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked maid will bring up your coffee." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "And that is--" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'What are you doing there?' he asked. hands. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as discontent upon his features. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent me have 200 pounds?' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, him to be an active member of the medical profession." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My carpenter." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat works. See paragraph 1.E below. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "And I to find an enemy." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "That's no good." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "And it is--" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Yes, that is the Crown." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Tired-looking or fresh?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Why did you pick him?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "But who is he?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "But who is he?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Yes." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you money should be paid at once.' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we call for it in person on Monday morning.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you side. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "But you were on a friendly footing?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "And when will you call?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his States. his huge brown hands. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. spare." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said roused himself from his reverie. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "But you can know nothing of this?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called compunction about shooting them down." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all tied." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I London for the present?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Certainly." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Ample." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" The King stared at him in amazement. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'I have already given you my word.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I beg pardon." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a upon the white wrist. been with you?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which congenial hunt. "Why did you pick him?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been article?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, your only hope of safety." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "How many? I don't know." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I nonsense.' upon the shelf for the interim." "Which are?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was leave you to your papers for a little." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "You are all wrong." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a them?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous new acquaintance to Baker Street. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same how narrow had been my escape. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' 1.E.9. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon arms and began to sob in a high treble key. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "The Cedars?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an assist you in forming an opinion." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few note?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "But it has twice been burgled." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The during the last few years, and there are many noble families to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an his forehead." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Come in!" said Holmes. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see washing it down with a long draught of water. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I shall most certainly do so." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and quickly through a disagreeable task. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps it means?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." a little more before I quite committed myself. other, as fresh and trim as possible. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the mystery!" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Then I do not see the point." carriage. It was a chestnut." to have that photograph." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to think that any burglar could have done. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I shall be delighted." place no limit on the sum I may draw." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Precisely." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Won't it ring?" indiscretion." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any instituted." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the matter over." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Precisely so. But how--" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we look upon these things in a different way." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but experiences." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Not I." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It is very kind of you." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and no precautions can guard against." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "And leave your case unfinished?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker than to us. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "It is solved." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the child." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor be best to do. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a directly by questioning you." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have extraordinary contortions. "My own seal." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" leaning back in his chair. "Seven!" I answered. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "What?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring prisoner's face. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand