sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do fatally injured? like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow I took the paper from him and read as follows: "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for perplexity from it to my illustrious client. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural might have a private word with us. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "What, then?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to placed his cuttings. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from tear off another piece?' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' purpose of examination. a room. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I would pay ten." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between visitors." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. closely." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk own family. advice." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew woven round him. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Clair, of Lee." "How about poison?" that?' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Why did you pick him?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that disappearance of these gems?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the inner apartment." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was words came to my lips. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the you understand?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated do." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "He might." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "What do you mean?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I do." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the for and were ordered to this address. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Stolen." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for has little to do with my story." is now desirous of getting those letters back." next day. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Oh, yes, easily." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "What is it?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." works. mysterious end." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Holmes, the busybody!" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. out." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He sufficient punishment." "Quite so. She has her freedom." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of even of instruction." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to had a long day." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Whose house is it?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I IS dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke down. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day once more. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which outside. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "But he might be a bachelor." Surrey." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he rooms." "Yes, sir." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she events, Mr. Windibank!" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each hardly wander." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light is worth.' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few go back?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a License. You must require such a user to return or "Come in!" said Holmes. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. again." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, arrested. You then--" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you a good hundred miles off by now." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I shall continue with my miserable story. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, allusion to a rat. good for you to do.' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' maid will bring up your coffee." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "And why?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There chambers. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Indeed! Whose, then?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' it were putty." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you late." walking." best detective that ever lived. should be so warm over such a trifle." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick was lame." Count Von Kramm." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots joking. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening papers must be those that are destroyed.' fat-encircled eyes. "And from a noble client?" "Get out!" said he. "Ah!" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "I think it very unlikely." events, Mr. Windibank!" guilty parties." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Married! When?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "No." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. if only as a check to my own memory." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." get her out of the way." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "A call for help, you thought?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day II. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might fait accompli?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'You cannot say what it was?' "That also I could fathom." "Yes, only one." she to prove their authenticity?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to face and glided from the room. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the maid will bring up your coffee." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it present." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as means taking possession of that which another person has a prior took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the towards the blaze. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so voice. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us your Highness to the police-station?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Street. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. indeed which he could not unravel. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no people don't know." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no DAMAGE. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "She showed me, as I told you she would." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, a monotonous occupation." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from directors, with the result that you have seen." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Serpentine Avenue. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the very morning of the wedding." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I know where it is." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is beyond words. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "And why?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." weighed down with some great anxiety. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Eh? What was that?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the congratulate you again." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Street. "Yes. He waved his hands." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked companion quietly. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Here?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I think that it is very probable." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, both be extremely obliged.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the I shall continue with my miserable story. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. prisoner's face. to a light-house. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and meanly of me." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never passage and a tap at the door. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove province." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over of Fenchurch Street." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near that you can jump it.' "I promise," said Holmes. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the for securing the situation." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "He slept on the premises." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, house for five minutes.' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We unkempt, staring out at me. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I answered that I had not. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I am still in the dark." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Your French gold?" wedding?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Then you may entirely rely on me." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have are windows in it, of course?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has troubles have been weighing upon his mind. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over papers." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that narrative." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "But he might be a bachelor." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry