she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and arrangements." union?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to this Miss Turner." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that tear off another piece?' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Won't it ring?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his questioning and rather startled gaze. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the night.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their there is a decided draught." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Which are?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, interest. They are important, you understand, without being rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has arms and began to sob in a high treble key. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such nonsense.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I should like to see him very much." to arrive at through this?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The vanishing of the lady." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I married her." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is interest. They are important, you understand, without being red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, strong and stiff." the King without delay." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Bought." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, happened." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the second window is the one that I jumped from." seem to you to be relevant or not." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Holmes." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the think that he is innocent?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at fire. You quite follow me?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself means taking possession of that which another person has a prior himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "None. Neville wrote those words." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. minor matters until to-morrow." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. disturbance in my wife." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no client, rising. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Holmes' thin, eager face. over with notes and figures. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Yes." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I cannot as yet see any connection." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be garden below. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and that threaten you." "What is it?" our word." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her thirty. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Certainly, madam." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time sparkled upon his finger. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which disappearance of the bride.'" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is any." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'How far from the body?' "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. writing, and yet I know it well." companion quietly. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful of the efforts of the United States government and of the better began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" occupations.' of it with the greatest attention. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. matter." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and The note was undated, and without either signature or address. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps me. You must get home instantly and act." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the room while you explain this matter?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking begun to whiten, even as mine has." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "No, but the enclosure is." http://www.gutenberg.net Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do go back?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "And how did you verify them?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I weapon." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here stammered. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the do.' young Openshaw's." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "It surprised me." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much papers diligently of late, have you not?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other my little problems." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It a good hundred miles off by now." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us within hail.' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" than to us. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "One?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the King without delay." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "ARAT," I read. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "My Mary? Impossible!" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst he. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by minor matters until to-morrow." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" cigars in the box." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I say that I have solved it." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, key turn in the lock." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in any little problem which you may submit to me." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss other, as fresh and trim as possible. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "No bad?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "And the murderer?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would could not have written that. It is the German who is so side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and I have it here in my museum." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. standing smiling on the door-step. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully in his power. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said that you saw all that I did." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the forecastle of an emigrant ship. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, village inn over there?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which perplexity from it to my illustrious client. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. shoulder; "he's all right." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." opportunities to fix the problem. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and effective." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he it means?" "'Never,' said I. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, present." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls might help us?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to dear old homesteads?" my little problems." delighted to hear it," he said. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and looked back. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "But we can't all be." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Then what has happened to him?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to ventilator." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life I nodded again. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." might help us?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his you." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "You think that he is dead?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under asked with his eyes open. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I I was concerned in it." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." way in everything. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. colour had been driven from his face. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we one's self under obligations.' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most used to be." "Pray do so." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "His face fell immediately. "Yes, the wine-cellar." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I you do it in twenty minutes!' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were some place of shelter and let the county police know what has purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "If so, much may have happened between." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' your only hope of safety." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. cost them two and thirty pounds." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, meant it for the best. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Do you know him?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With gone. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Frequently." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, salesman. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet which it had come upon my father." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'Yes.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to presume?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Precisely so. But how--" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your ready to-morrow?' at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is was lame." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it asked. has little to do with my story." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just morning." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of was a loud and authoritative tap. Literary Archive Foundation weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Nothing?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Yes, there are nearly always some there." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Where does the thing come from?' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on with you?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the