ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I married her." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; child?' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw brought there to personate someone, and the real person is me have 200 pounds?' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Ah, but I was recommended to you." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I say that I have solved it." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. always that they were such commands as a lady might with Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after considering the formidable letters which were received by himself wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "What?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "'You cannot say what it was?' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "My last client of the sort was a king." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Perhaps we may make them less so." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did this Miss Turner." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening DAMAGE. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" strode off upon his way. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Your presence might be invaluable." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Where to?" "Come in!" said he. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Ample." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Because he was handy and would come cheap." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to could not have written that. It is the German who is so fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, both be extremely obliged.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence delirious. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "And why?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "How on earth--" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "The rest you will leave in our hands." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "You saw the ventilator, too?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of said Mr. Holder. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there had formerly been in part my own. "This photograph!" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Yesterday." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Game for a morning drive?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," child?' from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Holmes' face clouded over. "Dr. Becher's." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "How about poison?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." heavy and sharp instrument." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one singular points about the case. What did the police think of the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but that "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis felt the room to be a little close.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime second." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" locked. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. to a light-house. quickly through a disagreeable task. to tell." death." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey appeared upon the scene." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "At the wedding breakfast." business?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. tell him that I know him to be innocent." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if neither fascinating nor artistic." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "It is very clear." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long be.' And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the gone. in my life." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Was your sister dressed?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the King without delay." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting results." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And it is--" in his hands." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small You can understand that this register and diary may implicate that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Is he quiet?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. look dissatisfied." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was cup of tea. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Get out!" said he. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'What, the red-headed man?' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest imbecility!" he cried. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as pressing in one house as in another. gigantic client. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Yesterday." that you saw all that I did." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small danger is over." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down children over to America with him, so that I found myself without tightly behind him. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, foresight and the moral retrogression?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I guessed as much." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was lost nothing by them." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the station." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in generous with you in money matters.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his yourselves in at night?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the so far?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Texas, I think." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, sparkled upon his finger. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day wedding?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Not in the least." "An accident, I presume?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "One of his hands." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." one of the states of the Union." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut four million human beings all jostling each other within the "To the police?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Very much so." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "And how did you verify them?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a I held the little printed slip to the light. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I must be when I saw the door open.' business at Coburg Square is serious." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, enter into my head. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the to miss it." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Lestrade of Scotland Yard." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which just ask you whether you had heard it.' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in wanted for ourselves." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Well?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I shall most certainly do so." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled you came in." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Seven!" I answered. done what I asked you, Jones?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you our word." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and laid it on the table. "Precisely." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "And on what day did he meet his death?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been which our visitor detailed to us. could go. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Murdered?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you everything which you would wish to know." the Red-headed League." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them papers on the sundial.'" Surrey." started for the Temple to see my husband. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the morning and make my own way in the world.' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "It is a murder, then?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "My private note-paper." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of leaning back in his chair. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing morning." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. beyond words. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, bird of prey. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door was a loud and authoritative tap. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I nothing of it?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me sit on the left-hand side of the driver." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is green of the new foliage. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Witness: It was. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of copied or distributed: I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We strong reason behind." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, without a word or a look. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He