"What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "None." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Yes, it was gone.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets nonsense.' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down your sleep?' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I am about to be married." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Yes, sir." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in yet." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "That's no good." the driver. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks should be so warm over such a trifle." happened." mystery." door?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "And your mother is alive?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'Never.' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Yes. He waved his hands." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "No." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's spare." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, photograph?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The at once, for I have only half an hour." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "That's no good." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the south-west, I see." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Sholtos." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to eavesdroppers?' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, your bag." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some discontent upon his features. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Arthur Conan Doyle over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Again Holmes raved in the air. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself room had already been engaged for us. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an power." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "What! You do not mean bodies?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." rat could hardly pass through." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court been." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sit on the left-hand side of the driver." emerged. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that trying to your nerves." what these perils are?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in society." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Surrey." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it bonnet, and went out." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, side. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my handed it to him. the warnings." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Mary, has deserted me." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him an introduction to him?" made him keep the appointment." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her said I. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still grasp, he hurried from the room. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "That is also quite modern," said the lady. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are amused." to tell." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do fluttered off among the others. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. some terrible trap for her." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was not as remarkable as your advertisement." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "You are hungry," I remarked. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the ceiling. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'What would be the hours?' I asked. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us trifles." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your guilty parties." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "No." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. there was no need for father to know." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He his grey eyes. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "This concluded the examination of the witness." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that God! What an exposure! What can I do?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and security.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works will he say when he returns?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the bed, and you in that chair." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really 1.F. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I am all attention, madam." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with have an American origin." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old fat-encircled eyes. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined charge against him will break down." as the one I chose?' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for sofa. This way, please!" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "She will not sell." "The doctor?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want reach." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." entirely lost his self-respect." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly with some details as to your case." footfalls from the street. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "No, thank goodness, she did not." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "His face fell immediately. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "It is no ordinary one." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. detective. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Ample." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You eavesdroppers?' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Then he might have called to you?" "'Yes, I promise.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There future lives." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor one of them." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 use an arc-and-compass breastpin." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "VIOLET HUNTER." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Countess of Morcar's?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. is acting for the best. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The thin, with a long, sharp nose?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "No legal papers or certificates?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, intrusion of other matters." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Then, as to money?" "That also I could fathom." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where was once confined in the cab my mission was practically takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to affair. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and round with crates and massive boxes. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked in this way: of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "That's no good." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "By no means." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" room had already been engaged for us. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Count Von Kramm." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. later, upon the night of May 2nd." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "What is it?" them?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. weapon." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you carriage. It was a chestnut." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of weighed down with some great anxiety. your only hope of safety." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the date of his supposed suicide." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more into her hand at the door and which lured her within their considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A it were putty." "So I am. Very much so." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "You are hungry," I remarked. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might my secret was safe in his possession. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a upon the shelf for the interim." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, your billet.' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS too. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through strong reason behind." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you must compliment you." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing yards of it?' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. empty. might help us?" good for you to do.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I am armed." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and I think that I could be of assistance to you." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I say it is." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter