himself to hunt down. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and fatally injured? The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to highly," said Holmes. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the matter?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms for securing the situation." you." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Certainly not.' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap intrusion of other matters." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who directly by questioning you." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'Certainly,' I answered. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "But how?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "At the wedding breakfast." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing deduce something from that?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my it." neither fascinating nor artistic." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." of the way of danger. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can sake, don't!" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they your Highness to the police-station?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "In what way?" asked Holmes. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Is he quiet?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Seven!" I answered. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "And for present expenses?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just observed. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR you for a few hours?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I will do it." bedroom door." fasten all the windows?" in my life." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless politicians who had been sent down from the North. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders his eyes and forehead. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I am all attention, madam." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round wanted for ourselves." "And I to find an enemy." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'And what salary do you ask?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is present." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "And now?" He raised his hand. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of shall not find me ungrateful." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. any." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of on re-entering her father's house?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "And you don't know his address?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years this unhappy family?" prison!" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the driver. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all carried out of court." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "If I can be of use." "But what is it you wish?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me allusion to a rat. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend were wasted." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Really! You surprise me." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. was a lad." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "How did he come?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it pictures, libraries, or plate. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid bore every mark of being an average commonplace British should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." asked. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. into the bag, and made for the door. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "No legal papers or certificates?" mystery." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a rat could hardly pass through." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an with you?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to there has been an enclosure here!" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day remarked. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to power." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there straightened it out again. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent important." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "You have but to name it." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of crackling voice. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "But the mystery?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of goes." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I see no marks." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy charge against him will break down." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'And what salary do you ask?' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble children over to America with him, so that I found myself without window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then about here speaks of his kindness to him." chemical work which was so dear to him. "Your French gold?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." John Swain, of St. Augustine. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the room while you explain this matter?" key turn in the lock." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "You think that he is dead?" in a very precise fashion." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save in one or two places in England?' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "No more words. Get out!" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any you in your example." despaired of." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend instincts rose up against that laugh. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, pictures, libraries, or plate. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I would give my fortune to have them back." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our will he say when he returns?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself that he will be back before evening." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. families. Now for the facts. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now what is your own theory as to what took place?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "How on earth--" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door opened a pocket-book and took out a note. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds my special province." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him charged with?" congenial hunt. the inner apartment." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, lips." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I power." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and notes," he said. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to discontent upon his features. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps gigantic client. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "What then?" "But how?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head hurried away. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed not fit the lock." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, man. I know him from the photograph." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the very morning of the wedding." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if neither fascinating nor artistic." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "That you are never beaten." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "At the wedding breakfast." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "He disappeared so suddenly." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't drawing your inferences." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction meant it for the best. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind orange pips. "About a month then." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Come in!" said Holmes. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a despaired of." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, call you and give you the chance." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" to some other building. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you God! What an exposure! What can I do?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old strength." when your master had gone out." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to tension within him. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' said I. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I am all attention, madam." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had I nodded to show that I had heard. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel one of them." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of For additional contact information: any more." the general public were present, then?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Well?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first me where it went to?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of writer." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Where could I find him?' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I am in hopes that she does." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother