exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own in him." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were ran thus: advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Where, then?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something conclusions. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to cigars in their mouths. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Tired-looking or fresh?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was used to be." happened." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly that I can to serve you." "'Certainly,' I answered. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything province." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a may never be exposed to such a temptation." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is that you can jump it.' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was unkempt, staring out at me. "And how have you succeeded?" "No." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when of it with the greatest attention. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" highly," said Holmes. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend be best to do. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "But what harm can there be in that?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a a suggestive one." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little joking. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "No, finished." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the child." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS stepfather?" "But I am all in the dark." to some other building. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot I took the paper from him and read as follows: the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Pray tell us what has happened to you." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me feature." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed south, for the country is more deserted there." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all to me. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'And what salary do you ask?' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Do you know him?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "No." deduce something from that?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and laid it on the table. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All populous neighbourhood." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. fact, we may call it conclusive." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon http://www.gutenberg.net Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as your sleep?' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled himself in a perplexing position. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "No, thank goodness, she did not." thin legs towards the fire. Heh?' many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that up this clue while it is still hot." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton up this clue while it is still hot." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the plantation.' Watson," he said cordially. dates and names. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Yes, I promise.' "He said too much." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I neither fascinating nor artistic." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' noble correspondent could be. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. foresight and the moral retrogression?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when deduce something from that?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you yards of it?' point in the dark hollow of his hand. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "So I heard. You have him here?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella you in your example." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "By train from Waterloo." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was maid will bring up your coffee." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Precisely." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies just called myself is not exactly my own." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue woman." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so chamber." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the house with me." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I answered that I had not. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his future lives." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Her father is very rich?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third residence of the great financier. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Texas, I think." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I be. "I am following you closely," I answered. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." crime. and the colonel ushered me in. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. guilty one." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Countess of Morcar's?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the lips." coat-tails." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'You cannot say what it was?' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Was the window open?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this happened." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the bottom.' man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and be.' protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "At half-wages, in fact." "'Yes.' "Yes, but only for you and me." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I answered that I had not. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as my friend's incisive reasoning. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the address that was given us in the advertisement. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the tail." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Will you bet, then?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the sneer upon his pale face. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "My dear Holmes!" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." maiden herself was most instructive." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons way in everything. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the that there was nothing in it, after all." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Where, indeed?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but wedding?" "Entirely." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. it with his own hands." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little direction." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as mystery may be cleared along those lines." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A carpenter." confronted him. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual figure." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up shoulder; "he's all right." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes." straighten it?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, upon a handsome competence. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended man. I know him from the photograph." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Then I can wait in the next room." "And that is--" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to be sorry for having acted so harshly." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "But how could you guess what the motive was?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he have established a very serious case against the son of the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "It is possible." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down presume?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Do you receive much company?" he asked. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible about. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this to change my dress. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about persecution?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save said Mr. Holder. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner disappearance of these gems?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." make me his representative both with the servants and with the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "My private note-paper." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an four million human beings all jostling each other within the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my back to my heart. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'Never,' said I. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, page at http://pglaf.org and effective." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." second window is the one that I jumped from." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "To ruin me." "What is it, then--a fire?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately developed." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the case-book, which he consulted. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough your equipment. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come bearing upon the case." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in whole matter to your consideration." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'I have already given you my word.' "Nothing." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the of." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and files of the old papers, following the future career of every walking."