face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I am sure." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight there." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I cannot think." "Stolen." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a bedroom door." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for national property. I was determined that the law should have its The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'What, the red-headed man?' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at union?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Do you know him?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. galvanised. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. he bowed and left the room without another word. matter over." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." suddenly upon us." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the written, and locked the door of the office after me. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter chance." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood is," said he presently: "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." upon an income of about 60 pounds." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "And did you observe any change in her then?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open been deceived." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "But how?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "No, finished." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and inquire as to the address." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'Oh, no.' works. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business been with you?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to was already answered. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick leave you to your papers for a little." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. advice." bachelor.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "And your father? Did you tell him?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be absolutely follow my advice in every respect." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my been deceived." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are brandy and water within his reach. more solid." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Then you may be so with me." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into occupations.' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Nothing?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my a very grave face. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and if only as a check to my own memory." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you presented more singular features than that which was associated "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is at my own good fortune. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, fattened it expressly for you.' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "It is very kind of you." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which until night should bring an explanation. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Henry Baker is a member." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or up this clue while it is still hot." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "By train from Waterloo." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'Entirely.' "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the business?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" most interesting one." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked burst into a hearty fit of laughter. paper in the air. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "By train from Waterloo." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where at once, for I have only half an hour." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Where, indeed?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling you give your casting vote to?" "Of Friday, June 19th." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and manager. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Then let me do so?' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "How are you getting on?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a night.' said he. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER II. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would posted to-day." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Yes." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'There is a drive, then?' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my said I. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "In what way?" asked Holmes. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was help us in this matter." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest a good hundred miles off by now." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "On Monday." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Not him." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "How can you tell that?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." cigars in their mouths. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, wanted for ourselves." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Yesterday." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the window, rose as we entered. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry searched, without anything being found which could incriminate to tackle the facts." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a asked. "Yes." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached them present such singular features as the strange train of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, power." direction." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin detained." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing in this note: "Yes." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the then?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I answered that I had not. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "On Monday." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the me. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the populous neighbourhood." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his thin legs towards the fire. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which matters immensely." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than him. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring that I am arrested." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I eavesdroppers?' golden eyeglasses. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'You cannot say what it was?' are windows in it, of course?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be acted in my house last night?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which himself to tell his story. any." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Yes.' present." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "The best possible." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of them has the shutters up.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her mysterious business." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, matter." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I have come for advice." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "That's no good." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "He slept on the premises." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining was a perfect sample of the class. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the guilty parties." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I came to find a friend." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all place of silver." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love answered with a sidelong glance. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Not in the least." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Where is it, then?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which wedding?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the round and wave him away like that.' "I am to be neutral?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." present." invisible to me," I remarked. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go done what I asked you, Jones?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's generous with you in money matters.' "Thank you. Pray proceed." yet." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of front of me. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal prepare for the new role I have to play." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. clang of the bell. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such which it had come upon my father." voice. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me arrested. You then--" photograph?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being easy-going way." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "It came here." "He might." in. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "No good news?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" case before our client came into the room." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety empty. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Nothing?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "It looks newer than the other things?" of this gang." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And how did you verify them?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "That was it, sir." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Thank you. And your address?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and For additional contact information: theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. strength."