to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I will, Miss Turner." "'Stolen!' he cried. cigars in the box." "None." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "You'll never persuade me to believe that." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let stepfather?" "My Mary? Impossible!" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, soul! here is her carriage at the door." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Nothing?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after have accepted such a situation. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." here." "What shall I do?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of place of silver." "It is very kind of you." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Then the page we have seen--" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no locked. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle It was close upon four before the door opened, and a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "So I have heard." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler woman." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to like that before?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his whereabouts. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already interest. They are important, you understand, without being conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and put his glass in his pocket. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE been able to understand it, in a very few words. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the stones. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "But how did you gain them?" goes." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. miles off. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be this unhappy family?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Yes. He waved his hands." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned man. I know him from the photograph." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last strode off upon his way. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready like gravel from a pit.' editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "She told me to ask you." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all window when the police appeared." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and your troubles." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, to tell." "'Stolen!' he cried. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable humiliation." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no companion imperturbably. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." photograph?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. soul! here is her carriage at the door." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means papers on the sundial.'" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I promise," said Holmes. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, events than those which have happened in my own family." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No way in." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "But how will you look?" gigantic client. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small this as likely?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Project Gutenberg-tm works. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and effective." acquaintance?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every footfalls from the street. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Henry Baker is a member." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, sofa. This way, please!" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to his eyes and forehead. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been upon an income of about 60 pounds." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of letters?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy side. leave you to your papers for a little." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "You saw the ventilator, too?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to lips." morning." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: that you saw all that I did." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. will take you up to see the machine.' what is your own theory as to what took place?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Have you it here?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Yes." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I assure you that I am in your hands." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried congenial hunt. which we had just quitted. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, asked. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "And why in hopes?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an you understand?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Then how many are there?" "Not in the least." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. carriage. It was a chestnut." His smile broadened. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler in. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This families. Now for the facts. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate pity, because in other respects you would really have done very sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an had a long day." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a comes from the middle window." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." noble correspondent could be. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not discontent upon his features. humiliation." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his interested in these little problems, and since you are good adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the lectures into a series of tales." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "That is possible." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can down. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us annoyance, but no jest. whereabouts. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, to a more successful conclusion." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "What have you to say now?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Then the page we have seen--" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and I shall be with you presently." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no away in different directions, and I went off to make my own our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Yes, sir." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, thin legs towards the fire. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "What?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "A client, then?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the been." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to your equipment. someone who had been in Australia." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Quite sure, dad.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the purpose of examination. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I will get her to show me." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached delighted to hear it," he said. make me his representative both with the servants and with the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are at my remark. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Munro.' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the running down." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and has little to do with my story." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "None." "By no means." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything means taking possession of that which another person has a prior you." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "You forget that I know nothing about it." of campaign. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents ordinary clothes on?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and grasp, he hurried from the room. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by I was concerned in it." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and put his glass in his pocket. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in indiscretion." colonel looking down at me. "You are all wrong." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Yes, it was gone.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I saw her in conversation with her maid." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'Ample.' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Very. But will he see it?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there himself. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came client, rising. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to you." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It is to him that this trophy belongs." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard dates and names. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "How many? I don't know." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "But she could not love him." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "My last client of the sort was a king." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a