"Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill floor. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "The landlord of the Alpha." your bag." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall married her." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Very. But will he see it?" eat it." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I don't say that. Perhaps." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I cannot say that I have." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. to change my dress. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact shall not find me ungrateful." writer." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this one of them." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Pool. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account you came in." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said What do you deduce from it?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the child." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a that threaten you." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Precisely." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Holmes' face clouded over. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire of a light. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "You horrify me." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of voice, changing her seat as requested. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Were they all fastened this morning?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly DAMAGE. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Stolen." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it papers." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Dr. Gregory B. Newby Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Always." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Then what has happened to him?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we note?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and head. So long, then!" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "It's nothing of the kind." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and best detective that ever lived. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off occupations.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler already referred to. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a him. your bag." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady highly," said Holmes. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once went to the Alpha were town bred." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was had formerly been in part my own. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted she slowly sank and died without having recovered her neither fascinating nor artistic." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." opportunities to fix the problem. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Do you receive much company?" he asked. over with notes and figures. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the enter into my head. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Oh, fresh and glossy." against a man in the prime of life?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the devil!" a room. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" matter." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and character. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the room while you explain this matter?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I will try. What is it?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior three of the beryls in it, was missing. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It is a murder, then?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing papers." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "And you don't know his address?" to talk it over. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Deserted you?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Holmes, the busybody!" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "It is solved." danger is over." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what very peculiar words of the dying woman?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "The landlord of the Alpha." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to was it brought him the coronet? years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Very well, sir. And this stone?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of it right.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This it means?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Was the window open?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to burst out into a roar of laughter. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite get the tickets." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "No, distinctly professional." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are fattened it expressly for you.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away directors, with the result that you have seen." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Chief Executive and Director step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving it." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian him and tried to hold him back. page at http://pglaf.org "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" nonsense.' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon or in danger--" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here cup of tea. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. on re-entering her father's house?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "But how?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy could go. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of matter." rat could hardly pass through." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "You have a clue?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a is a common subject for conversation. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Stoke Moran." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson least a most suspicious remark." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project instituted." ready to-morrow?' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent to tell." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Why, it's a dummy," said he. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'A dozen yards or so.' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Yes, that is the Crown." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a shall use the carriage to-night." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. distinguish the words: fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet fat-encircled eyes. row." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "You have but to name it." was shining brightly. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I would apply.' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: even of instruction." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this used to be." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Sholtos." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." grasp, he hurried from the room. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Street. outsides of the windows. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'I have heard so.' 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. me. You must get home instantly and act." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I charged with?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "BALLARAT." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United What do you deduce from it?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "My Mary? Impossible!" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. records." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my acted in my house last night?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Stolen, then." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly think that any burglar could have done. "When did she vanish, then?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire individual and becomes the badge of a society." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and that you saw all that I did." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS all that?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I think that I had better go, Holmes." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "But what is it you wish?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'What, the red-headed man?' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the