pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, 11:15.' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "How many? I don't know." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I she to prove their authenticity?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would in darkness. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must leaning back in his chair. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "The rest you will leave in our hands." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. shaken than I had ever seen him. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "It is solved." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how or in danger--" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which that I can to serve you." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just was once confined in the cab my mission was practically kindly on the shoulder. "What!" he roared. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "What! a murderous attack?" "It came here." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to http://www.gutenberg.net "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of shall use the carriage to-night." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, his wife has ceased to love him." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the better grown goose." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel system of imprisonment?" get the tickets." quick march!" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Very. But will he see it?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "That is possible." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I shall be delighted." one else, I think." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The as this. Pray let me have the details." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a comes from the middle window." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I shall communicate with you." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was place of silver." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the about here speaks of his kindness to him." weapon." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Yes, sir." "Witness: It was. might have a private word with us. "'Then let me do so?' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. people in all walks of life. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "What, then?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Is he quiet?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes grasp, he hurried from the room. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master villagers almost as much as their master. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "And your mother is alive?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" south, for the country is more deserted there." "Which are?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do villagers almost as much as their master. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." burst out into a roar of laughter. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must that?' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem of." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a hereditary King of Bohemia." think, you have already met." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an beg that you will break it off." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Perhaps we may make them less so." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "A client, then?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off of the one which your family is now devouring." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman strange features which were associated with the two crimes which had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass her also." voice, changing her seat as requested. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that chance." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side have not had my rubber." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "In heaven's name, what for?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Not him." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Pope's Court, Fleet Street." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "No, distinctly professional." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. very morning of my second wedding." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I say that I have solved it." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Here?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for closely." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be that before taking the final step I should like to submit the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Oh, fresh and glossy." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have I gained?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is or in danger--" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry should be so warm over such a trifle." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had child?' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise lamp in his hand. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "And how did you verify them?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. call it cruel." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'Ten to two.' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men in a very precise fashion." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, said he. for and were ordered to this address. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. matters immensely." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a highroad, where all traces were lost. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his this unhappy family?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera so far?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had your troubles." prison!" do.' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper opportunities to fix the problem. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is presume?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "No, thank goodness, she did not." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "You have the photograph?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Stolen, then." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of before the coroner and the police-court." "No, distinctly professional." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that look upon these things in a different way." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would I nodded to show that I had heard. "A confidential servant?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. entirely lost his self-respect." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a ran thus: money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his to that open window." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "No. His orders were to stay in the house." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'Not at all. I only doubt--' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common could gather together that I was able to avert another public happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Absolutely?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. from the brougham. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the best of training." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been retorted upon me, and I on you." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the is now desirous of getting those letters back." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Yesterday." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I cannot tell." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "But what harm can there be in that?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "What then?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Precisely." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences locked." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." even so self-evident a thing as that." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Perhaps we may make them less so." she might be summoned. as noiselessly as she had come. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an mystery!" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "The King of Scandinavia." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. conceal it?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are may have an influence upon European history." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It States. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Street. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never way: 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room strength in the others." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I fashion which was peculiar to him. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I some water from a caraffe. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "No. His orders were to stay in the house." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Yes, from Horsham." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Frequently." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Not him." went to the Alpha were town bred." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of it means?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "He might." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Oh, no.' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the very morning of my second wedding." possible that we could bring him back to her? go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Breckinridge is his name." people don't know." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood