for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of cigars in the box." is acting for the best. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he vault. instituted." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "You think so, too?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Ha! you find it so?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back believe that I should never have any practice at all. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to trifles." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been appeal." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at here and I will read it to you: registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and this Miss Turner." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into information in his hands the value of which he did not himself money should be paid at once.' I nodded again. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Well." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared completely overtopped every other consideration that we both upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune get the tickets." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing strode off upon his way. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: into the room. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been might have a private word with us. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had matter." wanted for ourselves." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we thirty. "'Ten to two.' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a how narrow had been my escape. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Edgeware Road. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. placed his cuttings. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "How about poison?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "No." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by companion imperturbably. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was which was all perfectly true. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "But his left-handedness." "But what will you do?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to strength of mind to control. upon the white wrist. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "What office?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are new duties?' "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I have come for advice." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, You want to know what became of those geese?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I came to find a friend." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in shaken than I had ever seen him. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with outbreak?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning nonsense.' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I a very grave face. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which digesting their breakfasts at home." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I second." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and no precautions can guard against." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so never came back." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under quickly through a disagreeable task. "I am about to be married." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'And the work?' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Pool. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, just called myself is not exactly my own." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Has he come with you to-night?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "But I have heard all that you have heard." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in experiences." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I indeed happy." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had four million human beings all jostling each other within the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Witness: Nothing definite. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to friend's singular character. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made situation." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in his hands." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his rose-bushes. he bowed and left the room without another word. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Have you it here?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must brandy and water within his reach. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching might help us?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of said he. "Here?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "It is solved." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Oh, yes, easily." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, very old mansion. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill roused himself from his reverie. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a kind enough to tell me what I should do." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "And you can do nothing until then?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the lost nothing by them." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I a room. whole matter to your consideration." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the stable lane now." relief. answered with a sidelong glance. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "This photograph!" and laid it on the table. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her II. rooms." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, jewels which you have stolen?' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Precisely so. But how--" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your call for protection in the marriage market, for the present quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable weapon." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten detained." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "The Coroner: What do you mean? akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of colour had been driven from his face. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "My stepfather's business papers." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now door?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Yes." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" indeed happy." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Your presence might be invaluable." trying to your nerves." name is different." clang of the bell. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Yesterday." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Young McCarthy must be got off, however." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to purpose of examination. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I guessed as much." "'What then?' I asked. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Could he throw no light?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case The summons was a brief and urgent one. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "But how?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell done what I asked you, Jones?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "To an English lawyer named Norton." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." article?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I have hopes." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Yes, at the mines." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Arthur Conan Doyle society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I am all attention, madam." digesting their breakfasts at home." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are happened." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This where Mr. Fordham shows you.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "What have you to say now?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days help us in this matter." "And for present expenses?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Will you bet, then?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "None." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful go--none." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Holmes rather sternly. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Then you may entirely rely on me." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in ashen face. at home. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "What shall I do?" as he folded up the epistle. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was