"Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Whose house is it?" "You have carte blanche." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "The Cedars?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "My stepfather's business papers." "They are typewritten," I remarked. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at easy-going way." indeed which he could not unravel. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, note?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I cannot tell." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do when your master had gone out." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Where to?' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Thank you. And your address?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that delighted to hear it," he said. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a spare." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were a very grave face. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "You are hungry," I remarked. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Literary Archive Foundation the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the station." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Serpentine Avenue. strode off upon his way. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that bachelor.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the roots. "No bad?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Just look it up, then." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. brain must have something in it." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Look there!" said he. "Precisely." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "It surprised me." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and your relations to her." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will congratulate you again." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Yes, but only for you and me." you in yours." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "He slept on the premises." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting signal between you and your father? "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed away in different directions, and I went off to make my own will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Oh, fresh and glossy." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." noble correspondent could be. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Dr. Gregory B. Newby little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He legal crime." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are IS varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked wedding?" "Nothing." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or to you." fashion which was peculiar to him. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." case-book, which he consulted. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Lee, in the county of Kent." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the running down." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great as the one I chose?' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It rose-bushes. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "What can it mean?" I gasped. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Never to return." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'I have already given you my word.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Yes." chance." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "A thing like a cleaver," said he. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." indeed happy." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical any more." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Sutherland?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business security.' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'Then let me do so?' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at this poor creature." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features like gravel from a pit.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many ashen face. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I am about to be married." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Proceed, then." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. vanished into the darkness. signal between you and your father? might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." overpowering excitement and concern. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the that he will be back before evening." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "My photograph." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I existence." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'Where could I find him?' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the present." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in me have 200 pounds?' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Do you go out much in society?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who guilty parties." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." other means.' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "It is half-past ten now." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had room?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though once more to my work. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. chambers. good for you to do.' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I see no marks." as he remarks, very much against the son." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this tell them apart.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from in the dead of the night?' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. opened the door, and slipped through. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a mystery!" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "You will not go there first?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Murdered?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Yes." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring into the room. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Holmes' face clouded over. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning have accepted such a situation. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Doctor, of the paper and the date." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the house with me." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the inner apartment." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "It is no ordinary one." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so existence." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black which are rolled in Rotterdam." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I am to be neutral?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me woman who has had her own way to make in the world. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he fait accompli?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there opportunities to fix the problem. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "One horse?" interjected Holmes. legal crime." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said highroad, where all traces were lost. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. relief. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these be there in time for your coming." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong could go. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to shoulder. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and page at http://pglaf.org to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may figure." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, questionable one." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Because he was handy and would come cheap." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Oh, fresh and glossy." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "And when will you call?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson in his hands." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. I nodded to show that I had heard. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always had formerly been in part my own. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining instituted." "I will, Miss Turner." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, back to my heart. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his said I. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself system of imprisonment?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. but preventing her from injuring another. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. a monotonous occupation." not fit the lock." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, DISSOLVED. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon