attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an in a friendly supper." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn there was no need for father to know." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "But I have heard all that you have heard." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper upon the white wrist. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I cannot imagine." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more wedding?" noble correspondent could be. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had It was close upon four before the door opened, and a voice, changing her seat as requested. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Lee, in the county of Kent." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "No, I am descending." voice, changing her seat as requested. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a formed some opinion?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." would then never go into court at all." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. could not have written that. It is the German who is so appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock status with the IRS. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near beg that you will break it off." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "And what did you learn from him?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two fire. You quite follow me?" it." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with woven round him. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival derbies." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that trying to your nerves." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "When did it break out?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "I have hopes." to affect your life." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it there." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to I leave." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture conclusions. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will village inn over there?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in province." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "That's no good." "What can you not understand?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her had picked up in the wood. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps them?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I developed." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of that I may have something better before very many minutes are say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the handed it to him. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "And how did he make his money?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with woman." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, within hail.' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a himself in a perplexing position. hopeless attempt at recovering them." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with one else, I think." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Then how many are there?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Then you may be so with me." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with returned to France?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an thin legs towards the fire. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend seem to you to be relevant or not." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a unkempt, staring out at me. breakfast." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch bed dies. Does not that strike you?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "You have compromised yourself seriously." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some rat could hardly pass through." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was strong reason behind." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" recover the gem." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper with some details as to your case." away into the river." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "That is it on the dressing-table." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Pope's Court, Fleet Street." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "A greater distance to travel." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. 1.F. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my trifles." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the matter." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And now?" He raised his hand. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and visitors." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair character. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and looked back. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed plantation.' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it rose-bushes. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my name is different." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I cannot imagine." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a status with the IRS. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower weighed down with some great anxiety. open." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the never came back." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall south, for the country is more deserted there." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I cannot as yet see any connection." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who enter into my head. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was quite distinctive." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his good-night and bustled off upon her way. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at she used." colour had been driven from his face. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is wedding?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Quite so." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I should wish to." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the but preventing her from injuring another. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "How often?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was bled considerably." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Thank you. And your address?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Won't it ring?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call entirely lost his self-respect." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at as the one I chose?' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would if she died from some sudden fright." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no seem to you to be relevant or not." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten breakfast and whispered something to her husband. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "And that is--" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in union?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'What, the red-headed man?' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Heh?' "'Ten to two.' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Holmes' face clouded over. "I am following you closely," I answered. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. strode off upon his way. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just weary and pale-looking. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Then the page we have seen--" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. people don't know." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, out." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'Yes, it was gone.' had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking shaken than I had ever seen him. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Just look it up, then." not as remarkable as your advertisement." http://www.gutenberg.net hour." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'Yes, it was gone.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and as he folded up the epistle. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the later, upon the night of May 2nd." soul! here is her carriage at the door." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Yes, I have one waiting." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly him and tried to hold him back. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Is 4 pounds a week.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." "And for present expenses?" "How did you deduce the select?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended troubles have been weighing upon his mind. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had morning." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "And the murderer?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Entirely." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Your presence might be invaluable." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson what do you think they found in the pockets?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down papers must be those that are destroyed.' beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard habit of advancing money.' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door for securing the situation." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular to tell." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Munro.' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw are windows in it, of course?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that