said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble him. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his closing the door. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank During two years I have had three consultations and one small suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior fled together." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "And I say east," said my patient. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I cannot imagine." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Nothing." strong and stiff." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Where, then, is my wife?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Seven!" I answered. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "But of what society?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'What then?' I asked. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in little adventures." notes," he said. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an call you and give you the chance." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward stood on the top of it. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. I was concerned in it." "Was the window open?" "I see many objections to any such theory." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he if only as a check to my own memory." where she found matters as described by the last witness. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Pope's Court. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "It was." "I am in hopes that she does." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Thank you. And your address?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is bill, which interests me deeply." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "And how did he make his money?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Was your sister dressed?" closely." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "And Miss Sutherland?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated investigation." crowd. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Sutherland?" "But what will you do?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted you, my dear young lady?' crowd. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. few hundred pounds.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "A confidential servant?" secret." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that writer." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the your room." Holmes rather sternly. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "If so, much may have happened between." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far signal between you and your father? houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We least a most suspicious remark." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my here and I will read it to you: King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Certainly,' I answered. have not had my rubber." "Well." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home questionable one." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Serpentine Avenue. once more. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I have come for advice." "She showed me, as I told you she would." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted than to us. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Ha! you find it so?" disappearance of these gems?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the station." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not What do you deduce from it?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked information in his hands the value of which he did not himself takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a closing the door. returned to France?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Why, it's a dummy," said he. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you became a certainty. crime. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Do you know him?" clanging. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord strange features which were associated with the two crimes which secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and of Fenchurch Street." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. For additional contact information: window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I know where it is." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "How do you know, then?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that vault. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to was a perfect sample of the class. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I am following you closely," I answered. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Dr. Gregory B. Newby murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Ha! you find it so?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and wait." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Certainly." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "At half-wages, in fact." "Thank you. Pray proceed." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. business matters.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand public press." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "But she will refuse." "The King of Scandinavia." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "And is that all?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Lestrade of Scotland Yard." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the interests were the same as his." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Then what has happened to him?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" lips." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and laid it on the table. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Not particularly." "My opinion is in no way altered." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This me upon any point which I do not make clear." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's wall." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally and shall probably return to London by the evening train." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his and all of them with the keenest interest. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I will not look." or other trace. But how on earth--" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I next day. waste of energy." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "No sign of it?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded next day. "Yes." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall it? Did I buy the geese off you?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "It is half-past ten now." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Was the window open?" "Witness: I must still refuse. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who to take care of herself." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, coat-tails." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a matters immensely." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, six. Come in!" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by was already answered. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, strength." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for that threaten you." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then room?" "My own seal." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands it." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "That's no good." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and effective." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder at my own good fortune. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my I shall communicate with you." the bottom.' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Upon what point?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. kindly on the shoulder. other means.' "Where to?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And Irene Adler?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to change my dress. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may disappearance of the bride.'" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector here." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time that I may have something better before very many minutes are And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He later, upon the night of May 2nd." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I see no marks." "'I shall certainly be there.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation was keenly on my guard against him. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker bearing upon the case." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with