Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable in the port of London." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by to me. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote had died away into the silence from which it rose. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Your French gold?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has sufficient punishment." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'I shall certainly be there.' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Never." I am not easy in my mind about them." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, them?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Ha! you find it so?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while fear." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was formed some opinion?" have got?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Certainly." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker means taking possession of that which another person has a prior man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the husband's writing, madam." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford will find little credit to be gained out of this case." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door even so self-evident a thing as that." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "That is unusual in a young girl." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "The King of Scandinavia." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "What have you to say now?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." purpose of examination. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "You don't mind breaking the law?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Really! You surprise me." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the acquaintance?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman himself to tell his story. "That you are never beaten." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Was the window open?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I will, Miss Turner." "'About the same.' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which highly," said Holmes. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "You have but to name it." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "So I have heard." "'Oh, no.' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United any." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "No." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said murdered man." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that window when the police appeared." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' answer." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to himself to hunt down. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible tell me that you intended to go into harness." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a is worth.' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and drove away. I was concerned in it." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. visitors." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face business." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; where she found matters as described by the last witness. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "When did she vanish, then?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her at my own good fortune. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Yes, at the mines." yourselves in at night?" "Yes, at the mines." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. derbies." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'I have heard so.' "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. on re-entering her father's house?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life know what is wrong with it.' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then villagers almost as much as their master. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "The King of Scandinavia." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to made him keep the appointment." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the you?' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their be sorry for having acted so harshly." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him events, Mr. Windibank!" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "But you were on a friendly footing?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly married her." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the nursery. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of you do it in twenty minutes!' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to himself to hunt down. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the humiliation." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he article?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of was shining brightly. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "It must be recovered." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without bedroom door." any." a suggestive one." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "He said that you could solve anything." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and your relations to her." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "He said too much." "I have a cab outside." "None." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point hands. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'What then?' I asked. most interesting one." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We once more. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his to take care of herself." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as intrusion of other matters." in a friendly supper." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. was not a bird to be seen there. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary gbnewby@pglaf.org very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Certainly." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." bird of prey. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that over here." For additional contact information: was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" you in yours." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the chill to my heart. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Then the page we have seen--" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "They are typewritten," I remarked. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money anything to do with the matter?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Absolutely?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" which it had come upon my father." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a depend upon my doing so.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of this gang." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very bears upon the case?" "So I am. Very much so." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Never." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I bachelor.' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," room. "Well, but China?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other them, and came down just as you departed. "May I see it?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems instincts rose up against that laugh. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Yes." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to returning from some small jollification and was making his way garden below. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most should be so warm over such a trifle." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "My stepfather's business papers." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as prisoner's face. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is father's place of business?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of giving me time to thank him. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to have been novel and of interest." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Not particularly." may have an influence upon European history." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal was not a bird to be seen there. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "And how did you verify them?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? I approached. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable bill, which interests me deeply." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the where we are going." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then chambers. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the window, rose as we entered. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Stolen, then." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if on in his house." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Your sister is dead, then?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I know where it is." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Entirely." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that rooms." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it voice. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open could gather together that I was able to avert another public my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very think you a quite exceptional woman." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "My last client of the sort was a king." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Very well, sir. And this stone?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Dirty?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "You horrify me." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his fasten all the windows?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could would then never go into court at all." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "It is possible." guilty parties." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in your most interesting statement." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "But of what society?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "What have you done?" asked Holmes. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" danger is over." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or me. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's