handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my if only as a check to my own memory." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own friends, not even his own brother. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "And how did you find out?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement jewels which you have stolen?' weary and pale-looking. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for envelope. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with test if we have an answer to our advertisement." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is roused himself from his reverie. the dangers which encompass me." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** where Mr. Fordham shows you.' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my his wife has ceased to love him." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'About the same.' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is that I am arrested." to have been novel and of interest." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the matter?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If key turn in the lock." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Where, then?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Can I be of assistance?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. one's self under obligations.' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that bled considerably." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her amused." "How did you deduce the select?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to arrive at through this?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "My Mary? Impossible!" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some photograph a cabinet?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then to arrive at through this?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad will he say when he returns?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little is four-and-twenty." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in as the one I chose?' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Have you it here?" to miss it." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Count Von Kramm." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be eavesdroppers?' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Then he might have called to you?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Yes." heavy and sharp instrument." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" invisible to me," I remarked. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the least a most suspicious remark." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit room. "Is he quiet?" "I will not look." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into notes," he said. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "How about poison?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little at a side door. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. written, and locked the door of the office after me. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Upon what point?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the London for the present?" Eyford." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little may have an influence upon European history." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "10th. John Swain cleared. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I am armed." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Could he throw no light?" prisoner's face. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I know where it is." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Then I do not see the point." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had families. Now for the facts. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I saw her in conversation with her maid." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of plantation.' "Nothing?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" one of the states of the Union." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Yes." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the strong reason behind." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white where we are going." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain four million human beings all jostling each other within the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the Assizes." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel ventilator." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat hereditary King of Bohemia." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that was a perfect sample of the class. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was there." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Could he throw no light?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he next day. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Certainly." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Then how many are there?" electronic works never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, before the coroner and the police-court." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite interested in these little problems, and since you are good it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Sutherland. have accepted such a situation. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. business." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was weigh very heavily upon my conscience." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "My dear Holmes!" had formerly been in part my own. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Eh? What was that?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Quite so." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that was used.' shall use the carriage to-night." "Where did he live, then?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his father's young wife. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not foot. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so always that they were such commands as a lady might with upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "How did that help you?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I was sure that I might rely on you." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all had formerly been in part my own. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." it." "That also I could fathom." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." not fit the lock." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three words came to my lips. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back highroad, where all traces were lost. events, Mr. Windibank!" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly death." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "I do." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were ordinary clothes on?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but quick march!" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Murdered?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I am all attention, madam." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. him nearly every evening." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to relief. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "And that is--" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Then he might have called to you?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let affection." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black his grey eyes. what is your own theory as to what took place?" note?" "It is a murder, then?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having which should have the effect of calling the attention of the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "It must be recovered." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a asked. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put guilty one." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions events, Mr. Windibank!" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable God! What an exposure! What can I do?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no cost them two and thirty pounds." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I don't believe it." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so young Openshaw's." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." death." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is noting anything else of interest. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "How did you trace it, then?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set fuss that is made over them." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous