ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "By no means." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "So I am. Very much so." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or this man was intellectual?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." bare slabs of marble. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must flock.' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of you give your casting vote to?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little as he folded up the epistle. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "No." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for him. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "But how?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall with frightened eyes at his accuser. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I any more." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." he. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did a good hundred miles off by now." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "You will not go there first?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "There are none." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was unkempt, staring out at me. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Only as much as we can deduce." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or fluttered off among the others. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You were travelling in the States?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." face and glided from the room. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside woven round him. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood You can understand that this register and diary may implicate interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save said I. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Not in the least." of them has the shutters up.' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Perfectly so." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "The King of Scandinavia." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, promised to bring home. "My stepfather's business papers." in him." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." nice household for a young lady." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, next day. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. never came back." chance." as this. Pray let me have the details." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point giving me time to thank him. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is think that any burglar could have done. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from me where it went to?" weighed down with some great anxiety. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards train.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'Yes, sir.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. before, for it was considerably after midnight. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his which it had come upon my father." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Yes." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "And on what day did he meet his death?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from quite distinctive." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. is acting for the best. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an time." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over lamp. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his one else, I think." must compliment you." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward next day. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Then I do not see the point." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. particular state visit http://pglaf.org strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed have had none more fantastic than this." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his The note was undated, and without either signature or address. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Well, some hundreds of times." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the new duties?' very old mansion. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in roused himself from his reverie. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Sholtos." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock gone. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you next day. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" mystery." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Just look it up, then." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "No good news?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Why? What do you mean?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the call you and give you the chance." shall not find me ungrateful." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was dead, shall be safe with us." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me been deceived." own family. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "No sign of it?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room ran thus: and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I think it very unlikely." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day other, as fresh and trim as possible. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He to surprise her." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to undoubtedly my uncle's." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I will get her to show me." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Of what?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and I shall be with you presently." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Holmes' room. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." that, and I came down." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Ha! you find it so?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was lips." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "What shall I do?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "What steps will you take?" I asked. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Indeed! Whose, then?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "But you have hopes?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. What do you deduce from it?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid assist you in forming an opinion." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Eyford." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "But you were on a friendly footing?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the bell. Holmes whistled. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which existence." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. tightly behind him. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it in a very precise fashion." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "And your mother is alive?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you status with the IRS. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I salesman. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to speckled band?" crime." "Which are?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora question," said Holmes, smiling. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "ARAT," I read. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Then he might have called to you?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable hurried by. assist you in forming an opinion." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Not at all. I only doubt--' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Well, but China?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a bedroom door." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror affair. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "But his left-handedness." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left characteristics, but those are the more obvious." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Never." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. morning." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that yourselves in at night?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a noting anything else of interest. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens horse could go." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." excitement. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "The knees of his trousers." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "That is easily got." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Henry Baker is a member." indeed happy." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even important." brain must have something in it." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Of what?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that you." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was DAMAGE. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS chance." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods."