"Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. plantation.' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, past. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "My stepfather's business papers." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to him and tried to hold him back. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'It is locked up,' I answered. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself The King stared at him in amazement. an introduction to him?" own family. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Yes, sir." "My last client of the sort was a king." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at next day. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. is now desirous of getting those letters back." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "What can you not understand?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he trying to your nerves." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the warnings." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid child?' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Certainly." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there His name is Francis Prosper." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. girl said." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the roots. "On the contrary, this is the right side." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and interested in these little problems, and since you are good my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I cannot as yet see any connection." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, think you a quite exceptional woman." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Have you it here?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any know all about it," he snarled. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained works. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "ARAT," I read. the Red-headed League." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have goes." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Holmes. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Yes." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Then you may entirely rely on me." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already point in the dark hollow of his hand. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'Stolen!' he cried. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with you want, then?' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were matters immensely." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. existence." if only as a check to my own memory." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Farm upon the left." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "No." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a which was all perfectly true. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called crackling voice. "Did your wife hear all this?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Entirely." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Quite so." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Frequently." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Yes." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the lost his Christmas dinner." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I humiliation." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and 'please.'" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I against a man in the prime of life?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Of what?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Never." round with crates and massive boxes. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Where is it, then?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal place of silver." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Nothing?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which papers." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "And from a noble client?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "You have a clue?" have established a very serious case against the son of the "No good news?" power." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue train from Paddington which would bring you there at about showing my impatience. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you What do you deduce from it?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of to you." "I shall most certainly do so." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not voice, changing her seat as requested. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon upon an income of about 60 pounds." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "My private note-paper." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." one which it was hard to resist. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under true." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; just called myself is not exactly my own." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as which should have the effect of calling the attention of the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I seen the man in the road." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary me what he had done with the three missing stones. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking we went to search for him, face downward in a little simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I have a cab outside." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in emerged. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily over his head with a sweet womanly caress. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "And how?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so said he. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my noting anything else of interest. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the general public were present, then?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the people in all walks of life. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I am in hopes that she does." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, walking." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Dark enough and sinister enough." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that to a more successful conclusion." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, seven miles from Eyford Station.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad most important business. It is probable that he will be away all cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email occurred." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Murdered?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "It is true that I have been generally successful." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Again Holmes raved in the air. strong reason behind." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the night.' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. pound a week." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, him." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" shaken than I had ever seen him. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found wedding?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and take the flies, but not before." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the address that was given us in the advertisement. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I have my revolver," said I. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which breakfast." "It certainly sounds feasible." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. address. "It is his hat." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Upon what point?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the him, that man would not have given me such complete information 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster outside. that you can jump it.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "To an English lawyer named Norton." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Game for a morning drive?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Quite sure, dad.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress away to you." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and conduct the inquiry." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded door?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would works. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "On the contrary, this is the right side." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Cross for the Continent." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a system of imprisonment?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a visitors." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low reach." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the true." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "There are none." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few done what I asked you, Jones?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good seem to you to be relevant or not." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was sneer upon his pale face. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the night.' what do you think they found in the pockets?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." down from London to inquire more deeply into it."