man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "It surprised me." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is *** START: FULL LICENSE *** ready to-morrow?' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and the whole place is in a blaze." here and I will read it to you: charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. ashen face. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between 'please.'" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her do you make of it all?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew get her out of the way." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble attention." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always frequently gained my first real insight into the character of stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he as he folded up the epistle. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "What?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, way in everything. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. back into the street. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Then, how do you know?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" leaning back in his chair. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we out of this horrible affair." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Miss Holder?" "What! a murderous attack?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love down. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George strong reason behind." or other trace. But how on earth--" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad may have an influence upon European history." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "So I have heard." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and have one." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If prepare for the new role I have to play." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire populous neighbourhood." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It surprised me." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had rooms." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to opportunities to fix the problem. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, instituted." "Yes, sir." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. III. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Your sister is dead, then?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Here?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "That is also quite modern," said the lady. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before did not hear it also.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my wedding?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to surprise her." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Yes, the wine-cellar." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the south-west, I see." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down orange pips. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." where she found matters as described by the last witness. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise observed. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He ventilator." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Was there a secret marriage?" present." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, room?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I opened the door, and slipped through. call you and give you the chance." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have that you wished to speak to me?' written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" forebodings. "Yesterday." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do and a shock of very red hair. "It must be recovered." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that through." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave question. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent forbidden door. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and you." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "It came here." and the church but not where the lady lived." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the roots. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Pray let us have it, for all that." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, most interesting one." to a more successful conclusion." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be spare." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "But you can know nothing of this?" the so-precious time, but come!' responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with carpenter." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "And you don't know his address?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room into the room. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Upon what point?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a it means?" "But not more so than I to find you." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country conclusions. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." miles off. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." British peeress.'" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I cannot as yet see any connection." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Ah, but I was recommended to you." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain DAMAGE. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "In answer to an advertisement." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few it." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of which are rolled in Rotterdam." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the very letters. But what is this written above them?' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And Irene Adler?" My friend smiled. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the is," said he presently: about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "What then?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be question," said Holmes, smiling. in the hope of finding them." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Surrey." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. your troubles." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." woven round him. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom such person." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and client, rising. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in singular points about the case. What did the police think of the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle some terrible trap for her." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "And what then?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the Assizes." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear call it cruel." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. indiscretion." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "And your mother is alive?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came me. You must get home instantly and act." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Then, how do you know?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the bed, and you in that chair." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Yes." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go direction." trifles." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were swore that no one else had been in the front room during the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "But she will refuse." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Your sister is dead, then?" "'Yes, it was gone.' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'What then?' I asked. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "But I am all in the dark." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so as this. Pray let me have the details." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Breckinridge is his name." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking me upon any point which I do not make clear." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of not fit the lock." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "But his left-handedness." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are she to prove their authenticity?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. child?' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private bled considerably." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course said he, "my real name is James Ryder." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Not social, then?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. question," said Holmes, smiling. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the so-precious time, but come!' the stones. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Stolen." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third asked with his eyes open. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the ceiling.