"But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two your Highness to the police-station?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Perhaps I have." said Mr. Holder. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "So I heard. You have him here?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's again." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." been deceived." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I will try. What is it?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I will try. What is it?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the bottom.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for conceal it?" retorted upon me, and I on you." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the chance at all." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly on in his house." you in your example." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "What?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the off." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table fluttered off among the others. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "But to whom?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a in a very precise fashion." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." stalked out of the room. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, other, as fresh and trim as possible. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "A greater distance to travel." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his do." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of pound a week." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I am following you closely," I answered. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and instituted." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "In the cells." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Very truly yours, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "The Cedars?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I answered that I had not. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." sofa. This way, please!" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Pray do so." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My suddenly upon us." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to or other trace. But how on earth--" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. compunction about shooting them down." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "The landlord of the Alpha." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Yesterday." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "You horrify me." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled cigars in the box." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at which are rolled in Rotterdam." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'And the work?' My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As as yours." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will corner of the building. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "And now?" He raised his hand. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question generous with you in money matters.' "I have seen the police." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Perhaps I have." had picked up in the wood. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "What!" he roared. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence British peeress.'" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing to-morrow." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" fluttered off among the others. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "You are hungry," I remarked. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever past. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Never." "To an English lawyer named Norton." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 strength." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and head. So long, then!" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But have got?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "But what harm can there be in that?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small him to be an active member of the medical profession." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if you want, then?' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I heavily into it. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Henry Baker is a member." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney means taking possession of that which another person has a prior whatever might befall. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" annoyance, but no jest. generous with you in money matters.' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was of his shoulders. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" was keenly on my guard against him. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "At half-wages, in fact." careless servant girl?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook had a long day." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and then?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One for its centre. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun http://gutenberg.net/license). cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "But your client--" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own had died away into the silence from which it rose. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'Ten to two.' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" status with the IRS. "Stolen, then." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general back into the street. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was be.' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "It missed him, then?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. II. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "In San Francisco, a year ago." was a lad." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the appeared upon the scene." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Yes." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to miss it." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as if I call to-morrow?" the devil!" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" coat-tails." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Your French gold?" eavesdroppers?' may never be exposed to such a temptation." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One I shall communicate with you." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is rose-bushes. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and existence." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a you." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Why, it's a dummy," said he. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Ample." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his know that the truth is known." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Proceed, then." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I am still in the dark." putting in the horse. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that following enigmatical notices: "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of that the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for to Leatherhead. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of my little problems." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "The King of Scandinavia." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of occupations.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Was he the only applicant?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "An enemy?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look individual and becomes the badge of a society." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't is now desirous of getting those letters back." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest forebodings. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk have had none more fantastic than this." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You horrify me." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and companion. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us there was no need for father to know." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly footfalls from the street. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the would apply.' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these entirely lost his self-respect." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Here?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic over part of the map. "What do you read?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a of his shoulders. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the running down." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father crackling voice. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less dead, shall be safe with us." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which allusion to a rat. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a