have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your until night should bring an explanation. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "May I see it?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I beg pardon." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. do." she might be summoned. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad fashion which was peculiar to him. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. think that any burglar could have done. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "To an end?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they ran thus: the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Have you good authority for what you say?" notes," he said. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "To an English lawyer named Norton." lips." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Have you her photograph?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the salesman. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before for its centre. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in hands. "I am armed." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his him to go away.' doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we one else, I think." stalked out of the room. despair." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their guilty one." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, his face which made him a very different person to the round, she might be summoned. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after him, that man would not have given me such complete information save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always situation." guilty parties." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. lectures into a series of tales." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she that there was nothing in it, after all." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Miss Holder?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp instituted." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'Ample.' "But how?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What remarked. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some asked with his eyes open. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Ample." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but know that the truth is known." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and a shock of very red hair. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to from the brougham. hair?' were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather footfalls from the street. might have a private word with us. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "And is that all?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then help us in this matter." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I have seen the police." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in distance from the station, and there we found the young lady beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black fled together." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the in the port of London." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and gives a meaning to it." the coroner come to?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' coroner's jury." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal subject to the trademark license, especially commercial examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." served to weaken the effect. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a success. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Dark enough and sinister enough." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm writing, and yet I know it well." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "No bad?" "Not social, then?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You to Leatherhead. acquaintance?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody empty. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "My Mary? Impossible!" "May I see it?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of pictures, libraries, or plate. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train held up the lantern and gazed about him. whatever might befall. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would way in everything. "My own seal." get her out of the way." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into absolutely follow my advice in every respect." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "What I expected to see." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. power." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project as this. Pray let me have the details." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came yet." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "My stepfather's business papers." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said if only as a check to my own memory." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Yes." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "And sit in the dark?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope copied or distributed: letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Then I shall certainly come." "'Then let me do so?' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Have you it here?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "You think that he is dead?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "The Coroner: What do you mean? yourselves in at night?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most is a common subject for conversation. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "From his hat?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Deserted you?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and your troubles." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, are, and they are waiting for us." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Perfectly so." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I would give my fortune to have them back." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of I leave." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Have you it here?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'What then?' I asked. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the of it with the greatest attention. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Of what?" directors, with the result that you have seen." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire to-night?" I asked. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre locked." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "It is no ordinary one." "I cannot say that I have." his face which made him a very different person to the round, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into giving me time to thank him. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, bled considerably." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the to have been novel and of interest." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. furiously. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, to his chemical studies. one's self under obligations.' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a guilty one." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'Yes, it was gone.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came upon a handsome competence. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I late." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself that you can jump it.' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "If I can be of use." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about thought that she would have been so carried away." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" union?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both that he will be back before evening." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the never to learn it at all." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs mysterious end." http://www.gutenberg.net hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence during the last few years, and there are many noble families to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" directors, with the result that you have seen." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' eavesdroppers?' before, for it was considerably after midnight. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear again, where I was soon asleep. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Holmes. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "It missed him, then?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "If so, much may have happened between." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the nice household for a young lady." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on your most interesting statement." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an without a word or a look. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only official police." "No, but the enclosure is." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I see many objections to any such theory." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is is four-and-twenty." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly there is a decided draught." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Yes." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a lectures into a series of tales." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an writer." "You are hungry," I remarked. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, be. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the bottom.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was not use it unless it is absolutely needed." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found retorted upon me, and I on you." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Street. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "What are they?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for grasp, he hurried from the room. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss into the bag, and made for the door. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I am all attention, madam." asked with his eyes open. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but emerged.