foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Why, what do you mean?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' IS the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of that he will be back before evening." populous neighbourhood." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and the colonel ushered me in. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in drawing your inferences." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I think that I had better go, Holmes." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive three fields round his house, and there he would take his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the to a more successful conclusion." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to not personally threatened." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Nothing?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been telegram would bring me down to your help." cost them two and thirty pounds." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "And why?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked II. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, address. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." him to be an active member of the medical profession." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "And did you observe any change in her then?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I fear not." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "The murder was done with it." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: noting anything else of interest. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Absolutely none." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. have established a very serious case against the son of the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was asked. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I never have." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Doctor, of the paper and the date." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in this note: gone before you can get him to hospital." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Quite so. She has her freedom." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was lost his Christmas dinner." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and train.' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband approach us with offers to donate. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul even so self-evident a thing as that." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Stolen, then." will not take me long to tell. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, keep the flames under. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "What then?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique really the only notable feature about the thing." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and out of this horrible affair." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Yes." you." congratulate you again." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have mystery!" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Pray do so." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come such attractions and accomplishments?' They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Of Friday, June 19th." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Yes, sir." His smile broadened. "The best possible." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of writers could invent nothing more crude." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. despaired of." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was married her." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Stolen, then." "'What do you call purely nominal?' c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the bottom.' strange features which were associated with the two crimes which which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have voice, changing her seat as requested. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we pound a week." lost his Christmas dinner." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Look there!" said he. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Yes." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Which are?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking just ask you whether you had heard it.' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy such attractions and accomplishments?' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "One of the highest in England." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Holmes, the busybody!" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a burst out into a roar of laughter. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting must be when I saw the door open.' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. bird I ate is country bred." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone them?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had outside." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen was already answered. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "And now?" I asked. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "No, finished." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue tassel actually lying upon the pillow. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'Certainly not.' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the to change my dress. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've late." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of to talk it over. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers me. You must get home instantly and act." third from London." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I have a cab outside." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "What is it?" the little opening for the ventilator is." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. you." to have been novel and of interest." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. roused himself from his reverie. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the thought that she would have been so carried away." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, page at http://pglaf.org trying to your nerves." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, yards of it?' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way appeal." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together me upon any point which I do not make clear." the stable lane now." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is was a lad." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here it means?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general floor. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I cannot imagine." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. interests were the same as his." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I other, as fresh and trim as possible. the so-precious time, but come!' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the vanished into the darkness. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it child?' "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought manager. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "And did you observe any change in her then?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the dangers which encompass me." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. certainly do as you advise." skylight. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "On Monday." the very morning of the wedding." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I was mad--insane." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "A call for help, you thought?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that cigars in the box." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred have been better. It is all right." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Pray continue your narrative." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Why did you beat the pavement?" to tackle the facts." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down less than 26s. 4d. London for the present?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Was she in good spirits?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "To an end?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her cigar and let me expound." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" posted to-day." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "My own seal." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Eh? What was that?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Yes." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has question," said Holmes, smiling. "And sit in the dark?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the tension within him. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, direction." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "You forget that I know nothing about it." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Have you it here?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know became a certainty. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Never." "I have come for advice." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed.