was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an was a perfect sample of the class. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the dangers which encompass me." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one mysterious business." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in his fortune, and I went back to pa. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and you in yours." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." window when the police appeared." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and taking in every detail of the apartment. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Certainly." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. this remarkable episode. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the with you alone." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "And why?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'And the work?' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a mysterious end." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Do you go out much in society?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and the whole place is in a blaze." did not hear it also.' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "No, I am descending." "Not in the least." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be his huge brown hands. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the coronet in his hand?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I see no marks." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I was sure that I might rely on you." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure where she found matters as described by the last witness. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his chemical work which was so dear to him. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards new duties?' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "And how in the world did you find them?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the running down." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making horse could go." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "To an end?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Indeed! Whose, then?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Ah!" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered made him keep the appointment." McCarthy." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "And who is her maid?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Mrs. Toller serenely. "I assure you that I am in your hands." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." is acting for the best. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I existence." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "No." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the tragedy. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Here?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is lost nothing by them." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can in the port of London." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And test if we have an answer to our advertisement." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, will take you up to see the machine.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "You were travelling in the States?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "One of his hands." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and that?' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Tired-looking or fresh?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of questionable one." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is rose-bushes. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "You have compromised yourself seriously." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Edgeware Road. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." II. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, than was visible to me." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be one of the states of the Union." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and them?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the do you make of it all?" over with notes and figures. "I think it very unlikely." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'No, I know no one in these parts.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "What is it?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." hour?' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "But you have hopes?" copied or distributed: relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the bed, and you in that chair." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "But your client--" the devil!" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Was there a secret marriage?" been." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and works. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." made his money." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of acted in my house last night?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he begin with, and I had not got mine yet." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Murdered?" at a side door. "In San Francisco, a year ago." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "None." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the bottom.' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "We were both in the photograph." bears upon the case?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up or other trace. But how on earth--" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "No bad?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "It's nothing of the kind." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I promise," said Holmes. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could was a lad." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a are, and they are waiting for us." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and know all about it," he snarled. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the roused himself from his reverie. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than 1.E.9. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "None." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "How many? I don't know." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See outside. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was tapping his fingers upon the table. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left best detective that ever lived. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed matter over." "What will you say?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, dead, shall be safe with us." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she very morning of my second wedding." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the own family. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to a more successful conclusion." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the coronet in his hands?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'Never,' said I. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Sholtos." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Whose house is it?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Precisely." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "In what way?" asked Holmes. room?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is more terrible than the truth. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we happened." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Were they all fastened this morning?" My friend smiled. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed round and wave him away like that.' the very morning of the wedding." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Where is it, then?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Did your wife hear all this?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with not interfere, come what may. You understand?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "How did you deduce the select?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable enough to aid us in our search." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. matter." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with carried out of court." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob from you?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my writing, and yet I know it well." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert kindly on the shoulder. mysterious end." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "You don't mind breaking the law?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, depend upon your compliance." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty knowledge of the world." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not salesman. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I to-night." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "What! a murderous attack?" a good hundred miles off by now." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some was once confined in the cab my mission was practically purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done once more for Briony Lodge. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's not come at once?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "What is it?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that to a more successful conclusion." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was second window is the one that I jumped from." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I am to be neutral?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, and that he would see to anything that turned up. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at rooms." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear,