us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Watson," he said cordially. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your bed dies. Does not that strike you?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine hour." look dissatisfied." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "My last client of the sort was a king." Cross for the Continent." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I guessed as much." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice even of instruction." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned him nearly every evening." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that think you a quite exceptional woman." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect away into the river." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Perhaps we may make them less so." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell astonishment. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of floor. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering such person." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman of your young ladies.' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most most interesting one." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as him!" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Yes, at the mines." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." late." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner foot. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." new acquaintance to Baker Street. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "To ruin me." carried out of court." "I should be immensely obliged to you." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Thank you. And your address?" Edgeware Road. "My last client of the sort was a king." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as me upon any point which I do not make clear." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was companion imperturbably. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which beg that you will break it off." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. happened." "You don't mind breaking the law?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Yes." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Very. But will he see it?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "But it has twice been burgled." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Do you go out much in society?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper pity, because in other respects you would really have done very she has been waylaid. There has been no result." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Your French gold?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Pope's Court. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Yes." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry speckled band?" it." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a I nodded to show that I had heard. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I will get her to show me." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always in a friendly supper." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to of a light. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "How many? I don't know." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "And how did you verify them?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant me, and I could not think that his explanation of the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Where, then?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" voice. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. instituted." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to young Openshaw's." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect astonishment. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I promise," said Holmes. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about of the efforts of the United States government and of the better days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I came to find a friend." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that instincts rose up against that laugh. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never photograph a cabinet?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Absolutely?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "My opinion is in no way altered." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Were they all fastened this morning?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "No." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I cannot imagine." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They when your master had gone out." "Certainly." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "No, I had a dozen." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain allusion to a rat. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We photograph a cabinet?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "You think that he is dead?" village inn over there?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "And how?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "What will you say?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Certainly." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "But his left-handedness." "You forget that I know nothing about it." nonsense.' "I cannot tell." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' presented more singular features than that which was associated the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Sutherland. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through someone who had been in Australia." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an to a light-house. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Countess of Morcar's?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light which our visitor detailed to us. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not to-night?" I asked. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." conceal it?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and himself in a perplexing position. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks it." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales awkward doing business with an alias." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Never." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'And the work?' may never be exposed to such a temptation." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" round and wave him away like that.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'How far from the body?' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "No legal papers or certificates?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, confronted him. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell discontent upon his features. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO works. See paragraph 1.E below. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, neither fascinating nor artistic." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Why serious?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'As governess?' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would wedding?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Then the page we have seen--" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the go--none." existence." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, him. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "He is dead," cried several voices. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the affair. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From use an arc-and-compass breastpin." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of of the way of danger. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be used to be." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do without a word or a look. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible them present such singular features as the strange train of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. in him." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or kind enough to tell me what I should do." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been events, Mr. Windibank!" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, tapping his fingers upon the table. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I see no marks." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "You are all wrong." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was go back?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I don't say that. Perhaps." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the I held the little printed slip to the light. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" crowd. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I beg pardon." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'I shall certainly be there.' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, here." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Yes, sir.' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "His face fell immediately. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he