call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and a shock of very red hair. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Eyford at 11:15.' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Countess of Morcar's?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. conduct the inquiry." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are locked." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to I took the paper from him and read as follows: The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the matter?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is undoubtedly my uncle's." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." had died away into the silence from which it rose. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Will you bet, then?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if been anything against him. He had for years been known as a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "This photograph!" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but assist you in forming an opinion." rat could hardly pass through." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Was he the only applicant?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "And I to find an enemy." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and looked back. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "You did not overhear what they said?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I is worth.' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the only touch the interest." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. are, and they are waiting for us." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "By train from Waterloo." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter danger is over." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing him." "And that is--" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no them?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that you saw all that I did." already referred to. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to a light-house. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'Never.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your companion imperturbably. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This she has been waylaid. There has been no result." of the way of danger. fashion which was peculiar to him. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very problems help me to do so." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and closely." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Is purely nominal.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the maiden herself was most instructive." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are could not account in any way for the presence of the missing fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for this poor creature." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I fear not." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, carriage. It was a chestnut." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out writers could invent nothing more crude." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, indeed which he could not unravel. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. spare." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send he. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, cause to be." "My dear Holmes!" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the unprofitable." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after hour?' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was there is a decided draught." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Then you may entirely rely on me." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." his knees, staring into the fire. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the Red-headed League." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Was he the only applicant?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." more solid." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Will you go?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." brandy and water within his reach. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to detained." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly father's young wife. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it on in his house." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "What shall I do?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'And what salary do you ask?' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you handed it to him. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the ceiling. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' leaning back in his chair. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Then I am your man." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but noble correspondent could be. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not as he folded up the epistle. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. some water from a caraffe. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Yes, at the mines." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Do you know him?" to me. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the direction." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they you." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Of Friday, June 19th." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "But of what society?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "And now?" I asked. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Precisely." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'Oh, no.' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "That is it on the dressing-table." directors, with the result that you have seen." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Where did you address your letters, then?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and carried out of court." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "How can you tell that?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even bedroom door." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a you in yours." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my ago." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and your relations to her." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I would give my fortune to have them back." your own bird, so if you wish--" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her is now desirous of getting those letters back." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the one as in the other." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and that he would see to anything that turned up. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, could not have written that. It is the German who is so handed it to him. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was ways of our fellow-men." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and what do you think they found in the pockets?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you his knees, staring into the fire. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Never." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation you." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of lectures into a series of tales." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "On your arm?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Stoke Moran?" said he. of the vacancies.' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Well?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on."