"Yes, it was twisted." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of she used." developed." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'It is locked up,' I answered. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to take care of herself." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He upon the shelf for the interim." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell gives a meaning to it." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Pray be precise as to details," said he. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that over here." "'Certainly,' I answered. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. himself to hunt down. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as 'I should be able to look after that for you.' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I have come for advice." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to have that photograph." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, deduce something from that?" that I can to serve you." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "So I heard. You have him here?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a it." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "A client, then?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "And the murderer?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "But to whom?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "My own seal." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone leaning back in his chair. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I would pay ten." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Count Von Kramm." allusion to a rat. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. certainly not very gracious." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: mystery." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." never to learn it at all." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" business." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in 'please.'" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of McCarthy's innocence. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I am following you closely," I answered. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "And you thought he was pulled back?" empty. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "What then?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and effective." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of do." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off habit of advancing money.' "Nearly eleven." "Have you it here?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Certainly." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'I am sure that I do not know.' "That is possible." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a joking. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was not come at once?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should without success. At last the little money which I had saved began in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A drove away. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while than to us. as yours." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I should like to see him very much." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right trying to your nerves." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, look upon these things in a different way." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful which our visitor detailed to us. over with notes and figures. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I am about to be married." crackling voice. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, fishes. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." details." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of success. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered secret." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and I shall be with you presently." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you evidence," I remarked. "'You cannot say what it was?' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Always." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." to-night." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'You cannot say what it was?' Cross for the Continent." back to my heart. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Witness: It was. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed of a light. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It his cane at the bell-pull. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I ceremony." name is different." "Perhaps I have." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'It is locked up,' I answered. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "My opinion is in no way altered." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Was the window open?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after congratulate you again." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, done what I asked you, Jones?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the populous neighbourhood." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long that, and I came down." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas astonishment. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "My last client of the sort was a king." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "And I." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I will do it." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and that he has suffered." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. to his chemical studies. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all said I. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for became a certainty. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. feature." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while think, you have already met." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "But it has twice been burgled." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I will do it." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: never came back." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "How did that help you?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the investigation." III. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and with some details as to your case." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to noise which awoke you from your sleep?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like States. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'It is locked up,' I answered. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his here." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was as the one I chose?' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were stood on the top of it. not, dad?" she asked. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my have an American origin." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I will get her to show me." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in upon the white wrist. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of behind me. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I came to find a friend." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a is acting for the best. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always here." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, there was no need for father to know." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I against a man in the prime of life?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, standing smiling on the door-step. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same conversation I have gathered that they have been married about while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to a light-house. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "She told me to ask you." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with help us in this matter." friends, not even his own brother. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Street. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to with her." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom events, Mr. Windibank!" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the armchair which I pushed forward for him. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Then how many are there?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was prison!" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to tackle the facts." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Where to?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." cost them two and thirty pounds." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many very morning of my second wedding." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so upon the white wrist. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Yes, at the mines." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. affection." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled woman." "No." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." posted to-day." said I. "Could he throw no light?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "What! You do not mean bodies?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is that you can jump it.' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Witness: I must still refuse. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing it with his own hands." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the if only as a check to my own memory." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For without a word or a look. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any envelope. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell."