make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I have a cab outside." "Ten will be early enough." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own approach us with offers to donate. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! foresight and the moral retrogression?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the know what is wrong with it.' "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little observed. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that morning." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "That sounds a little paradoxical." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the held up the lantern and gazed about him. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "That is easily got." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in the port of London." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter bedroom door." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round sound at heart." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she your most interesting statement." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Frequently." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the ago." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and own family. which we had just quitted. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would place no limit on the sum I may draw." following enigmatical notices: he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "You don't mind breaking the law?" brain must have something in it." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At from the brougham. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I beg pardon." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the invisible to me," I remarked. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the inner apartment." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, digesting their breakfasts at home." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Then what has happened to him?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'What do you call purely nominal?' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the bottom.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "In what way?" asked Holmes. "When did it break out?" train.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, people don't know." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Did you observe the colour?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a call it cruel." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'I am sure if I had known--' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "This concluded the examination of the witness." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your I am not easy in my mind about them." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "He slept on the premises." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. bird of prey. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Why did you beat the pavement?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important outside. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an foresight and the moral retrogression?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Nothing." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "That is not always so easy." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I see no marks." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the driver. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent pictures, libraries, or plate. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps vague figure huddled up in the darkness. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Yes, the wine-cellar." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the gentleman's clothes. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of closely." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "How often?" and capable of preserving a secret.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Has he come with you to-night?" "'Yes, sir.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a even so self-evident a thing as that." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Well, but China?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who begun to whiten, even as mine has." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with one or two very singular points about this room. For example, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, was feeling which was the fattest.' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Thank you. Pray proceed." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and looked back. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at not come at once?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'As governess?' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door papers." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'Most admirably.' placed his cuttings. true." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, bell. Holmes whistled. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It was an hour's good drive." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "You heard nothing yourself last night?" taking in every detail of the apartment. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Very murderous indeed." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Countess of Morcar's?" results." upon the sideboard." said he at last. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead strength of mind to control. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," fear." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was them, and came down just as you departed. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece you." so.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally colour had been driven from his face. written. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and eat it." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, again." meanly of me." "I have solved it." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "But your client--" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say to change my dress. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'Certainly not. But why?' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Will you bet, then?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to bird I ate is country bred." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Yes." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must note?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor ways of our fellow-men." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of clang of the bell. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. During two years I have had three consultations and one small of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are next day. "What, then?" "I answered that I had not. "Ha! you find it so?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of charged with?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And that is--" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on never will be, entirely cleared up. promised to bring home. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in tightly behind him. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, infinite languor in his face. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Will you bet, then?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his round with crates and massive boxes. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "You have carte blanche." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider someone who had been in Australia." to-night." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some third from London." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'What do you call purely nominal?' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Never,' said I. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Holmes, the busybody!" "Certainly." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Is he quiet?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Texas, I think." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the little trying to do so much typewriting?" to change my dress. his eyes and forehead. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg in your London, you will know that the office of the company is than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "What office?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place window when the police appeared." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Then I shall certainly come." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from where she found matters as described by the last witness. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young examine." gentleman's clothes. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Not in the least." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy cigar and let me expound." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Tired-looking or fresh?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "That is possible." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she all that?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "And what did you see?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the once more. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal know that the truth is known." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And into the bag, and made for the door. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to my friend's incisive reasoning. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have fact, we may call it conclusive." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'What then?' I asked. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal