during which he might have communicated with his friend the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and looked back. "Yes." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like meanly of me." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have nonsense.' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty details." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "We were both in the photograph." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he locked." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. looking up at the numbers of the houses." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "If so, much may have happened between." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many appointment with me for six o'clock?" ordinary clothes on?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." McCarthy." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "To an end?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was me where it went to?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Did your wife hear all this?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps companion. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At your bag." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young James Windibank. Voilà tout!" head. So long, then!" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "What do you mean?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a note?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the colonel looking down at me. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no if I call to-morrow?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion certainly not very gracious." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated get her out of the way." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'Certainly not.' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "But he might be a bachelor." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural respectable self." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable lamp in his hand. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. residence of the great financier. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was people in all walks of life. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our directly by questioning you." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper them?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." maiden herself was most instructive." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too felt?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock results." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "10th. John Swain cleared. "None." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the records." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Have you her photograph?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "And how have you succeeded?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But papers diligently of late, have you not?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it in my life." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up that you wished to speak to me?' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such could not have written that. It is the German who is so leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Witness: I must still refuse. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from rooms." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "It is very kind of you." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Murdered?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Breckinridge is his name." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes, he did." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "But you have hopes?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I have come for advice." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Witness: I must still refuse. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known some place of shelter and let the county police know what has him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Certainly." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite she might be summoned. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Yes." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down was a perfect sample of the class. "It is his hat." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Did you become engaged then?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced be best to do. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'I shall certainly be there.' there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there room had already been engaged for us. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my hereditary King of Bohemia." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I am still in the dark." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange point our research must commence, and we will begin it by down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we head. So long, then!" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "A greater distance to travel." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the indeed happy." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Where did you address your letters, then?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Was your sister dressed?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Yes." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and the whole place is in a blaze." "But how?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Where is it, then?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' just ask you whether you had heard it.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his of it with the greatest attention. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction his knees, staring into the fire. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES some mystery and the punishment of some crime." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend goes." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about were wasted." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he way in everything. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I came to find a friend." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. people don't know." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to other lovers by making love himself." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "In San Francisco, a year ago." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Holmes' face clouded over. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Street. you." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must fasten all the windows?" thirty. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Game for a morning drive?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Yes." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "But how will you look?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I into the bag, and made for the door. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by you understand?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "No." more terrible than the truth. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Thank you. And your address?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was house for five minutes.' better grown goose." I took the paper from him and read as follows: off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which be.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the coronet in his hands?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the child." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local and shall probably return to London by the evening train." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "What!" he roared. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the little opening for the ventilator is." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk triumphant cloud from his cigarette. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in correct than the official force." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Dirty?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire of Mr. Rucastle's." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that will find little credit to be gained out of this case." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an public press." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared American. Then who could this American be, and why should he 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His considering the formidable letters which were received by himself death." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Did he not advertise?" these bleak autumnal evenings." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled business came to an end." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in here." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of Fenchurch Street." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "We were both in the photograph." "I have a cab outside." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and bird of prey. "I should wish to." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. own family. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that friends, not even his own brother. outbreak?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Oh, yes, easily." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Have you it here?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "What can you not understand?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but 'please.'" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "But his lameness?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait colonel looking down at me. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept