to change my dress. fuss that is made over them." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest his face which made him a very different person to the round, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." following enigmatical notices: "Yes." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But what harm can there be in that?" I. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the loss of it. "One?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Countess of Morcar's?" amused." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I do." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to his chemical studies. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this your billet.' so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Dr. Becher's." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just too. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Of what day?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Well." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when were unconscious?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "A call for help, you thought?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered subject to the trademark license, especially commercial a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "But you have hopes?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you away into the river." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes together. "Very. But will he see it?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." thin legs towards the fire. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and have this put in the evening papers." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Street. "And who is her maid?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in generous with you in money matters.' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger use an arc-and-compass breastpin." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the do.' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "It is a murder, then?" Holmes' room. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, indiscretion." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'Yes, sir.' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the roots. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. writing, and yet I know it well." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I shall most certainly do so." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Chief Executive and Director I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the one as in the other." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. wedding?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far garden below. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the is so. I know all about McCarthy." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his away to you." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "He is still with you, I presume?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I you found me to-night--and running through the front room she everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against interests were the same as his." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Look there!" said he. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'Yes.' reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." writing, and yet I know it well." his face which made him a very different person to the round, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it said I. it means?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Not particularly." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort you found me to-night--and running through the front room she trying to your nerves." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found III. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most south, for the country is more deserted there." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes room had already been engaged for us. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "By no means." call it cruel." did not hear it also.' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door where she found matters as described by the last witness. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "How long did she speak to this Alice?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to carried out of court." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Why? What do you mean?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every furiously. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, upon the sideboard." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was more solid." go from here to the Strand." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was hereditary King of Bohemia." your own bird, so if you wish--" "Nothing." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there in the dead of the night?' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you annoyance, but no jest. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's detective. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its call it cruel." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "And Irene Adler?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. fuss that is made over them." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a better grown goose." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be lamp in his hand. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and what I may call a really hard day's work." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, even so self-evident a thing as that." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six back into the street. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Then I am your man." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I putting in the horse. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Holmes. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of stammered. me." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, relief. Sutherland?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "To an English lawyer named Norton." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "No sign of it?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, papers must be those that are destroyed.' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you were new raised from a basin. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a extraordinary contortions. "Then the page we have seen--" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under nice household for a young lady." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has see me here to avoid scandal." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Yes, at the mines." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I will not look." shaken than I had ever seen him. meant." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about it right.' that threaten you." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and gone. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which placed his cuttings. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told to tell." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies up this clue while it is still hot." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of leaning back in his chair. "Very much so." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it over here." electronic works specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" extraordinary contortions. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he this poor creature." was shining brightly. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Gutenberg-tm License. My friend smiled. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," rooms." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his tell me that you intended to go into harness." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their me upon any point which I do not make clear." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case I took the paper from him and read as follows: past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea What do you deduce from it?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and effective." notes," he said. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. of your young ladies.' ventilator." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Then, as to money?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very acted in my house last night?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "No, I think that I'll take it." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had desk. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You forget that I know nothing about it." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! delirious. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the best of training." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his question. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. in this way: my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the me have 200 pounds?' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no gigantic client. Holmes' room. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which