exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Quite sure, dad.' "Witness: Nothing definite. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Absolutely none." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose strong reason behind." "I say it is." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his him to go away.' means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "But his lameness?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at of them has the shutters up.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for matters immensely." rooms." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I know where it is." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious she used." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey other lovers by making love himself." "Then I shall certainly come." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I will not look." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "And now?" He raised his hand. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." off." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. chair. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "The knees of his trousers." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very lids now and glanced across at his visitor. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "But to whom?" entirely lost his self-respect." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the address that was given us in the advertisement. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A him and tried to hold him back. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "In what way?" asked Holmes. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I you understand?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was that you saw all that I did." hand, madam?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "That is possible." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "So I heard. You have him here?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed rat could hardly pass through." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father families. Now for the facts. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded young Openshaw's." "The Cedars?" strength in the others." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "But the mystery?" "The best possible." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "But you have hopes?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered looking up at the numbers of the houses." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the John Swain, of St. Augustine. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely whatever might befall. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." to me. McCarthy." followed. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another away to you." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave everything which you would wish to know." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face never to learn it at all." "I will do it." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull business came to an end." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Entirely." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated him!" "It surprised me." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming at my remark. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Leadenhall Street--and--" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." it. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'Stolen!' he cried. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, was used.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Not I." "Seven!" I answered. "A call for help, you thought?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who second window is the one that I jumped from." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "You have compromised yourself seriously." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she which it had come upon my father." to you." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable from the brougham. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Arthur Conan Doyle fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of putting in the horse. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I am to be neutral?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project events than those which have happened in my own family." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and problems help me to do so." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "It is very kind of you." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and woven round him. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Frequently." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Then he might have called to you?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "The best possible." "Did he not advertise?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked stepfather?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and your relations to her." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be me. You must get home instantly and act." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of laugh and put his lips to my ear. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she of them has the shutters up.' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "And you can do nothing until then?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Sutherland. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I have hopes." works. See paragraph 1.E below. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Never to return." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" empty. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Will you bet, then?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to in one or two places in England?' turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future fishes. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she horse could go." "Ah!" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot bell. Holmes whistled. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. directors, with the result that you have seen." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would once more for Briony Lodge. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "You horrify me." the matter." in a friendly supper." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of again on its way. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the goes." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, that you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Sutherland?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." she might be summoned. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems like gravel from a pit.' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for reach." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the matter." "Yes." union?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we said he, "my real name is James Ryder." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Yes, it would be as well." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Was there a secret marriage?" for its centre. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Look there!" said he. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was chambers. "You think that he is dead?" six. Come in!" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version have had none more fantastic than this." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry purpose of examination. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that papers on the sundial.'" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "That also I could fathom." colour had been driven from his face. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large brought there to personate someone, and the real person is question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'Yes, sir.' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the think you a quite exceptional woman." Gutenberg-tm License. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down rooms." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in business." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case It was close upon four before the door opened, and a I. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "You have a clue?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." walking." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and that he would see to anything that turned up. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Did he not advertise?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's purpose of examination. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Look there!" said he. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "You did not overhear what they said?" writing, and yet I know it well." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Yes, only one." "And what then?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my shadow pass over his face as I spoke. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge did not hear it also.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "My dear Holmes!" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had nonsense.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of