occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Yes, that is the Crown." "The Coroner: What do you mean? for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "How did he come?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "And how have you succeeded?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Who by?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a a room. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of child?' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Yes, it was twisted." straightened it out again. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to nothing with him." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms this poor creature." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. you." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy His smile broadened. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Munro.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. case before our client came into the room." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a sound at heart." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked of your young ladies.' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Countess of Morcar's?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Henry Baker is a member." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down again." "Holmes, the busybody!" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "But how did you gain them?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a at my remark. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general golden eyeglasses. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in appeared upon the scene." "None." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story appointment with me for six o'clock?" dead, shall be safe with us." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. morning." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was bears upon the case?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the outside. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, heavily into it. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel always that they were such commands as a lady might with destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. outsides of the windows. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a ventilator." tied." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "But I have heard all that you have heard." think you a quite exceptional woman." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'You cannot say what it was?' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now prove to be little relation between the different incidents of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save to Leatherhead. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and morning." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had His name is Francis Prosper." "'Certainly not. But why?' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand digesting their breakfasts at home." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: chair. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the coronet in his hand?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a are windows in it, of course?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to a little more before I quite committed myself. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "And from a noble client?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his he. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "BALLARAT." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the date of his supposed suicide." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'Certainly,' I answered. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "The King of Scandinavia." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "What!" he roared. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the gbnewby@pglaf.org "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their kindly on the shoulder. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "And the cigar-holder?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Frequently." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which suddenly upon us." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense here and I will read it to you: My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where distinguish the words: me what he had done with the three missing stones. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass hardly wander." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "VIOLET HUNTER." way in everything. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "No." down. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his hour?' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I think it very unlikely." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I case-book, which he consulted. deduce something from that?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' where she found matters as described by the last witness. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about article?" "Which are?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Stolen." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I nothing of it?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life a suggestive one." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. that threaten you." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the so-precious time, but come!' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I have been better. It is all right." "And leave your case unfinished?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "My private note-paper." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on when your master had gone out." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't lids now and glanced across at his visitor. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I cannot imagine." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity II. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I am still in the dark." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all there were so many in the whole country as were brought together my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this you, my dear young lady?' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general already been minutely examined." "What steps will you take?" I asked. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It is solved." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform strength in the others." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Here?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "And that is--" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after over his head with a sweet womanly caress. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I will get her to show me." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Do you know him?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Ah!" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. lamp in his hand. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I never will be, entirely cleared up. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. child?' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. when your master had gone out." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "What will you do, then?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those through." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is father's young wife. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "In heaven's name, what for?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Never." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "And you can do nothing until then?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to south, for the country is more deserted there." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" newspaper selections." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a written, and locked the door of the office after me. is four-and-twenty." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "He disappeared so suddenly." ordinary clothes on?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I have hopes." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the man. I know him from the photograph." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, that you saw all that I did." "My opinion is in no way altered." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or breakfast?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and bonnet, and went out." IS "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, will he say when he returns?" "Not yet." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and inquire as to the address." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Will you go?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that