jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against companion. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "What, then?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; here and I will read it to you: "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I am following you closely," I answered. rat could hardly pass through." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of sofa. This way, please!" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. memory. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing that you can jump it.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon suggested at once that there must be a communication between the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another is worth.' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, in. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your into the bag, and made for the door. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and furiously. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my me, and I could not think that his explanation of the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one examination of the premises, but without finding anything which about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Holmes' thin, eager face. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Nearly eleven." "One?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under directors, with the result that you have seen." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that of your young ladies.' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are opened the door, and slipped through. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "That is possible." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and have got?" "Yes, at the mines." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being murdered man." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Witness: Nothing definite. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, will he say when he returns?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "And on what day did he meet his death?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I himself to tell his story. a monotonous occupation." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional hopeless attempt at recovering them." disturbance in my wife." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there wife's character?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. interested in these little problems, and since you are good again." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the stones. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of again." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' late." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods have one." "I cannot imagine." "When did it break out?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" desk. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "This photograph!" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the Red-headed League." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the derbies." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' disappearance of the bride.'" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole that I may have something better before very many minutes are think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. weapon." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in place no limit on the sum I may draw." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the tragedy. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, results." highroad, where all traces were lost. Street. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'Quite sure, dad.' Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California note?" villagers almost as much as their master. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing hurried by. unprofitable." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I indiscretion." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is there was no need for father to know." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Ten will be early enough." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by go--none." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "What, then, did Peterson do?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "What then?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down success. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. looking up at the numbers of the houses." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "No, I think that I'll take it." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt III. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a have one." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "And that is--" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say straightened it out again. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the one as in the other." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." at my own good fortune. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the indiscretion." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in confronted him. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from both be extremely obliged.' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "No good news?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." indeed happy." questioning and rather startled gaze. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, like that before?" himself to tell his story. your co-operation." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, yourselves in at night?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my keep the flames under. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left away into the river." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Yes." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when floor. you do it in twenty minutes!' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save of fine shops and stately business premises that they really she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the very morning of the wedding." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the general public were present, then?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of Fenchurch Street." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I should be immensely obliged to you." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Then I shall certainly come." forebodings. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder back into the street. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were your troubles." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his excitement. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "That is also quite modern," said the lady. yards of it?' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of outbreak?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different thin legs towards the fire. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'It is locked up,' I answered. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Witness: It was. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in ventilator." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the least a most suspicious remark." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped anything to do with the matter?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the occurred." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the nice household for a young lady." newspaper selections." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to side. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. lamp in his hand. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone dear old homesteads?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man ordinary clothes on?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I drawing your inferences." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "But I am all in the dark." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to sentimental considerations in the background which would induce exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, is," said he presently: to tell." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! for its centre. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and had a long day." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Quite so. She has her freedom." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. miles off. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern official police." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer speckled band?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you troubles have been weighing upon his mind. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This been able to understand it, in a very few words. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was salesman. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten asked. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it papers must be those that are destroyed.' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded happened." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' His name is Francis Prosper." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the best of training." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a interests were the same as his." made him keep the appointment." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Entirely." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a