withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly cigars in their mouths. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with bed dies. Does not that strike you?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the morning and make my own way in the world.' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, heavy and sharp instrument." together. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite bears upon the case?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had is acting for the best. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "And how did he make his money?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." chill to my heart. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and intrusion of other matters." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "She will not sell." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "This concluded the examination of the witness." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious in his hands." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping straightened it out again. it." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous answered with a sidelong glance. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had tapping his fingers upon the table. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and dead, shall be safe with us." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'Yes, it was gone.' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "No. What a strange idea!" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it go from here to the Strand." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, himself. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Surrey." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'Yes.' signal between you and your father? the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. chance." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." sound at heart." ceremony." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little his knees, staring into the fire. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from indeed which he could not unravel. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was golden eyeglasses. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well closely." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been crime. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears business matters.' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my sit on the left-hand side of the driver." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "You are certainly joking, Holmes." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors leaning back in his chair. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, salesman. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should ready to-morrow?' "Yes, but only for you and me." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Where to?" if I call to-morrow?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance residence of the great financier. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. there when the Rucastles went away." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings nothing with him." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "She will not sell." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and money should be paid at once.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became quickly through a disagreeable task. "Then I do not see the point." overpowering excitement and concern. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and files of the old papers, following the future career of every that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and astonishment. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "You are all wrong." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Two days later this same performance was gone through under you came in." redistribution. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "And I to find an enemy." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "And now?" I asked. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand time." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her there in twenty minutes." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as not personally threatened." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "He is dead," cried several voices. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "9th. McCauley cleared. drove away. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong to affect your life." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Mrs. Toller serenely. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, congratulate you again." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on said he. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, his wife has ceased to love him." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my what I may call a really hard day's work." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Yes." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Get out!" said he. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same will be renamed. "He said that you could solve anything." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Where, then, is my wife?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "And your mother is alive?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the details." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "And your mother is alive?" for the market.' and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to his chemical studies. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to affection." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." hour." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "What can you not understand?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is sofa. This way, please!" "And it is--" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had again before evening." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth I have it here in my museum." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his voice, changing her seat as requested. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at garden below. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was seem to you to be relevant or not." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all in the port of London." good-night and bustled off upon her way. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'It is locked up,' I answered. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing which we had just quitted. has little to do with my story." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her you came in." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'Quite sure, dad.' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from yards of it?' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." be there in time for your coming." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Was he the only applicant?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Then the page we have seen--" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue since then to throw any light upon what became of him." papers." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for your equipment. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away extraordinary contortions. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he minor matters until to-morrow." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into had a long day." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." chill to my heart. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' hurried by. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and I shall be with you presently." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" in darkness. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Sutherland?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the side-table." "Not I." "What then?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "How are you getting on?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That was it, sir." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Holmes. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary