dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat address. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "It is very kind of you." "But she will refuse." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an ceremony." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I promise," said Holmes. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was arrested. You then--" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "No, I am descending." and your relations to her." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of conceal it?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked have an American origin." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the ceiling. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we been lifted and conveyed somewhere." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "He said too much." "I see no marks." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the presented more singular features than that which was associated in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I anything to do with the matter?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, cigar and let me expound." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk bird I ate is country bred." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was in this way: "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or said he. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes visitors." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Here?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I to miss it." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first guilty parties." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "By no means." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian John Swain, of St. Augustine. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a are, I think, all that we need." started for the Temple to see my husband. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading ago." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an tightly behind him. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his business?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do that the gas is not laid on in his house?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the have I gained?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place crime." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a people in all walks of life. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the loss of it. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "And did you observe any change in her then?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the warnings." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the armchair which I pushed forward for him. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "The knees of his trousers." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I them, and came down just as you departed. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing some city in a dream. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Very truly yours, "There are none." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name flock.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those imbecility!" he cried. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no furiously. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, think, you have already met." criminal. We have already had experience of such." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another my special province." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Watson," he said cordially. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into has little to do with my story." "Stolen." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Yes." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Yes." Heh?' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the room while you explain this matter?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will his huge brown hands. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day visitors." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "What! You do not mean bodies?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his notes," he said. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Perfectly so." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about of it with the greatest attention. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "That is possible." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than possible that we could bring him back to her? mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I mystery." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "But I have heard all that you have heard." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and gentleman's clothes. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "What is it, then--a fire?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather my room." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I have seen the police." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the them, and came down just as you departed. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were asked. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Game for a morning drive?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the Assizes." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. fear." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. my special province." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "At what time?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I shall continue with my miserable story. in a friendly supper." again." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through this Miss Turner." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Game for a morning drive?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes six. Come in!" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the but preventing her from injuring another. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our tension within him. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "And from a noble client?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but he bowed and left the room without another word. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Where did he live, then?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to read over the extraordinary announcement. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to cause to be." burst out into a roar of laughter. "I think that it is very probable." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." head. So long, then!" "Yes?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that rat could hardly pass through." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is examine." everything which you would wish to know." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Nothing?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite advice." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, were unconscious?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "10th. John Swain cleared. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we not interfere, come what may. You understand?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client lids now and glanced across at his visitor. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few least a most suspicious remark." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "And I." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall is a common subject for conversation. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something awaited us upon the table. "It is very clear." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will are, I think, all that we need." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' was used.' business in the City. She little knew what. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "And how have you succeeded?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two with some details as to your case." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis narrative." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Where is it, then?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." his wife has ceased to love him." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we