very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of constraint." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it married her." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Quite so. She has her freedom." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Miss Holder?" of your young ladies.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a woman." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "A greater distance to travel." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Where, then?" chamber." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have that I can to serve you." in this note: "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite entirely lost his self-respect." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the murdered man." "Where is it, then?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "If so, much may have happened between." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot retorted upon me, and I on you." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was house for five minutes.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' in the hope of finding them." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper his forehead." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "And you don't know his address?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing to you." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man have I gained?" occupations.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into again on its way. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Then let me do so?' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. depend upon my doing so.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Pray do so." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in hurried by. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Dr. Gregory B. Newby Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Yes." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? himself. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "An accident, I presume?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. it right.' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so singular points about the case. What did the police think of the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot foresight and the moral retrogression?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and to-night?' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely arrested. You then--" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. feature." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'And the work?' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I will not look." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I nodded again. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Witness: I must still refuse. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have him to be an active member of the medical profession." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their possible that we could bring him back to her? with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "How many? I don't know." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and the church but not where the lady lived." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between was the fact that his father should, according to his account, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Your presence might be invaluable." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Then how many are there?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "He might." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Where, indeed?" gives a meaning to it." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. back into the street. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "And is that all?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out begin with, and I had not got mine yet." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I will, Miss Turner." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you." "Her father is very rich?" was keenly on my guard against him. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this might have a private word with us. man. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." papers must be those that are destroyed.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Stoke Moran." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the it means?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Very murderous indeed." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to read it out to me." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; learned something! Where are the gems?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "An enemy?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a straighten it?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Of what day?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Precisely." there!' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I held the little printed slip to the light. quickly through a disagreeable task. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to you?' "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You likely to be some crony of the landlady's." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "That you are never beaten." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would girl said." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into had a long day." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang she to prove their authenticity?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the tragedy. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "And from a noble client?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "She walked into the breakfast-room." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "No good news?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Will you go?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small your room." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "But I am all in the dark." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Who by?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Not in the least." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "He said that you could solve anything." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "No, I think that I'll take it." look upon these things in a different way." "And why?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the call you and give you the chance." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since becomes even more simple." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. developed." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And leave your case unfinished?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing together. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Holmes' face clouded over. papers must be those that are destroyed.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had as noiselessly as she had come. later, upon the night of May 2nd." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil as this. Pray let me have the details." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital see a sister of mine apply for." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I have my revolver," said I. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few cause to be." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without conclusions. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Oh, the cause is excellent!" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." your co-operation." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no over with notes and figures. father's place of business?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Gutenberg-tm License. affection." investigation." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "We must have a cab." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and wait." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "My private note-paper." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Not yet." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of late!' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "How did he come?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" nonsense.' was a loud and authoritative tap. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Yes." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his wife's character?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Murdered?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently to take care of herself." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage tell him that I know him to be innocent." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he indeed happy." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. leave you to your papers for a little." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "There is the writing." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do ashen face. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's outbreak?" sneer upon his pale face. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Yes, there are nearly always some there."