impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always was feeling which was the fattest.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." very morning of my second wedding." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Proceed, then." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Is he quiet?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end drove away. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest call for it in person on Monday morning.' forehead. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I am sure." will he say when he returns?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I see many objections to any such theory." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "And sit in the dark?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. respectable self." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in standing smiling on the door-step. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and said he at last. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through attention." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! was used.' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "But it has twice been burgled." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Yes, all." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "You will not go there first?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Yes." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, true." in a friendly supper." "Here?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, amused." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." in darkness. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was spark where all is dark to me." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "But how?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "BALLARAT." gone. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to see a sister of mine apply for." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform locked." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I later, upon the night of May 2nd." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the coronet in his hand?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His said he, "my real name is James Ryder." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Then what has happened to him?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your down. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the strong reason behind." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her girl said." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the plantation.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "What can it mean?" I gasped. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had companion. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to look dissatisfied." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to upon the sideboard." thought that she would have been so carried away." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She sparkled upon his finger. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition again." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "And is that all?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, second window is the one that I jumped from." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to to me. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little ready to-morrow?' I have it here in my museum." "Very truly yours, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "That was it, sir." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by London for the present?" go from here to the Strand." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Yes, it was twisted." me. You must get home instantly and act." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Where is it, then?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I am to be neutral?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "That also I could fathom." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at possible that we could bring him back to her? pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could During two years I have had three consultations and one small cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, putting in the horse. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But obstinate." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the would then never go into court at all." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "In answer to an advertisement." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all is now desirous of getting those letters back." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some eat it." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no to-night?' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. father's place of business?" and looked back. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, weighed down with some great anxiety. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the very morning of the wedding." prisoner's face. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door in this way: he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "She will not sell." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I this unhappy family?" success. or other trace. But how on earth--" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 I nodded to show that I had heard. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I beg pardon." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when into the room. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Not particularly." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'And what salary do you ask?' repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I have my revolver," said I. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm place no limit on the sum I may draw." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." more solid." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the little opening for the ventilator is." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." our word." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain believe that I should never have any practice at all. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I am all attention, madam." I nodded to show that I had heard. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Very. But will he see it?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the coronet at all injured?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "You did not overhear what they said?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows not within a twentieth part of the market price." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the hereditary King of Bohemia." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go gigantic client. bill, which interests me deeply." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "How can you tell that?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "None." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of kindly on the shoulder. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Street. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, and that he would see to anything that turned up. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Ah, but I was recommended to you." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address bore every mark of being an average commonplace British this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "But I am all in the dark." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" my friend's incisive reasoning. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Yes." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project him." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Texas, I think." ourselves in the office." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the stable lane now." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. head. So long, then!" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Count Von Kramm." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all that before taking the final step I should like to submit the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, least a most suspicious remark." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. few hundred pounds.' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It is very clear." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way arms and began to sob in a high treble key. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I am about to be married." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' present." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their wife's character?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, of receipt of the work. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "His face fell immediately. without a word or a look. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No