adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "You'll never persuade me to believe that." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a suddenly upon us." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My on in his house." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked footfalls from the street. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Eyford at 11:15.' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Dark enough and sinister enough." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy touch that coronet?' "Not in a good cause." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two allusion to a rat. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Literary Archive Foundation handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'How far from the body?' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works been shamefully used." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Pray be precise as to details," said he. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Well?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "It is half-past ten now." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "But your client--" Surrey." cigar and let me expound." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'Certainly,' I answered. handed it to him. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine possible that we could bring him back to her? "So I have heard." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I call for it in person on Monday morning.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Not yet." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for this remarkable episode. "Will you go?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting mysterious business." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your even of instruction." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest was a perfect sample of the class. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a may never be exposed to such a temptation." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the danger is over." spare." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to-night." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned coroner's jury." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and way in everything. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt 'please.'" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification The telegram which we eventually received came late one night in the dead of the night?' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the very old mansion. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb there when the Rucastles went away." important." "Frequently." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" without a word or a look. easy-going way." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped not, dad?" she asked. then?" them, and came down just as you departed. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall companion. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "And from a noble client?" "How often?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and clang of the bell. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "On Monday." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Was the window open?" "Where, then, is my wife?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "You have the photograph?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed respectable self." "I was sure that I might rely on you." it means?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same brandy and water within his reach. said I. one else, I think." constraint." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. house for five minutes.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of tied." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or where we are going." "It is possible." "So it appears." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall really the only notable feature about the thing." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I cannot imagine." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most brandy and water within his reach. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Edgeware Road. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "A client, then?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it do.' drove away. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight was used.' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Proceed, then." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my friend's incisive reasoning. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. discontent upon his features. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the station." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" even of instruction." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Only as much as we can deduce." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper villagers almost as much as their master. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" better grown goose." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he lost his Christmas dinner." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making round with crates and massive boxes. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, see me here to avoid scandal." that there was nothing in it, after all." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. lost his Christmas dinner." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to talk it over. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be him and tried to hold him back. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little business." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I have my revolver," said I. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately round with crates and massive boxes. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as society." reach." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a gone. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Where to?' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "But he might be a bachelor." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Sutherland?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so It was close upon four before the door opened, and a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will he bowed and left the room without another word. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "You saw the ventilator, too?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "He is dead," cried several voices. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that experiences." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square all?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening point in the dark hollow of his hand. all that?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "How often?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. a suggestive one." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for thirty. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the gone. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Have you good authority for what you say?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang which it had come upon my father." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford nothing with him." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but you, my dear young lady?' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in one or two places in England?' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an bachelor.' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the morning and make my own way in the world.' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an child?' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "You think so, too?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this direction." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to you in your example." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest away into the river." signal between you and your father? It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora a monotonous occupation." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to been with you?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well was a perfect sample of the class. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of events than those which have happened in my own family." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'Yes, sir.' Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his