the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Mrs. Toller serenely. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "But she will refuse." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and presented more singular features than that which was associated refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity breakfast." himself in a perplexing position. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Very truly yours, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the then?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a furiously. other, as fresh and trim as possible. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was strong and stiff." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Do you go out much in society?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed assist you in forming an opinion." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. bell. Holmes whistled. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just yourselves in at night?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called was feeling which was the fattest.' "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing bedroom door." I nodded again. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "My dear Holmes!" to change my dress. the coroner come to?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I think it very unlikely." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'What then?' I asked. long narrative. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent ordinary clothes on?" feature." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and the whole place is in a blaze." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, voice, changing her seat as requested. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. wall." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." to have that photograph." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time that, and I came down." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you at once, for I have only half an hour." papers must be those that are destroyed.' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and that he would see to anything that turned up. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in indiscretion." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your ways including including checks, online payments and credit card does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "He slept on the premises." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." at once, for I have only half an hour." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination II. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a galvanised. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which conclusions. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "One of the highest in England." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having it with his own hands." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the tragedy. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it your most interesting statement." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the best of training." discontent upon his features. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To meant." "It missed him, then?" "But how will you look?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since business matters.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little do." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the did not hear it also.' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built four million human beings all jostling each other within the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a certainly not very gracious." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited followed. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Yes, I have one waiting." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found one which it was hard to resist. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "And did you observe any change in her then?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. should be taken.' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and no precautions can guard against." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only corner of the building. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of me." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging likely to be some crony of the landlady's." to tackle the facts." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "How can you tell that?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a floor. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I am in hopes that she does." "And Miss Sutherland?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, little trying to do so much typewriting?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to round with crates and massive boxes. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which it with his own hands." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the had formerly been in part my own. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, drove away. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be During two years I have had three consultations and one small makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "And Irene Adler?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and a shock of very red hair. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. unclasping of his long thin hands. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" morning." approach us with offers to donate. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And your father? Did you tell him?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." was feeling which was the fattest.' authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. quite distinctive." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the lamp. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a weighed down with some great anxiety. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Bought." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "That was it, sir." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to DAMAGE. Sholtos." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an I approached. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." already referred to. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as sooner or later she must fall a victim. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing round with crates and massive boxes. morning." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the night.' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of appointment with me for six o'clock?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring them?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "But not more so than I to find you." wall." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Nothing." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet bell. Holmes whistled. "'There is a drive, then?' "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do people in all walks of life. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted there in twenty minutes." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "It is to him that this trophy belongs." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "He said too much." with you?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "And the cigar-holder?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed upon the white wrist. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Heh?' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign arrangements." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my spare." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, client, rising. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and skylight. it. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And in. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Yes." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and wait." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of bird I ate is country bred." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. look dissatisfied." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth The King stared at him in amazement. "Certainly, madam." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, stammered. both be extremely obliged.' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of my little problems." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's were wasted." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which his face. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the infinite languor in his face. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, key turn in the lock." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and introspective fashion. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "How did that help you?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the companion quietly. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the coroner come to?" "To ruin me." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, again on its way. "Ha! you find it so?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" you." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. indiscretion." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes, all." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are death." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "No. What a strange idea!" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed keep the flames under. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "And how did you find out?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my You want to know what became of those geese?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so trifles." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Project Gutenberg-tm works. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You have compromised yourself seriously." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with extraordinary contortions. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Perfectly so." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell