still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and be. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "He disappeared so suddenly." outsides of the windows. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'In my own bureau.' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "So I heard. You have him here?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "No more words. Get out!" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst business came to an end." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' here and I will read it to you: I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he look dissatisfied." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Dirty?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of chance at all." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's matter." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every later, upon the night of May 2nd." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of chambers. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left of his shoulders. "I promise," said Holmes. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been bed dies. Does not that strike you?" not, dad?" she asked. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might You want to know what became of those geese?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the dangers which encompass me." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. as the one I chose?' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. certainly do as you advise." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Breckinridge is his name." arrested. You then--" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind pierced for earrings?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Lestrade of Scotland Yard." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Frequently." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as neither fascinating nor artistic." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I say that I have solved it." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "In what way?" asked Holmes. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no client, rising. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from feature." legal crime." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes, certainly." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "No?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I have solved it." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this morning." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "His face fell immediately. "One of his hands." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" ran thus: up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "And I say east," said my patient. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked nothing with him." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Holmes' room. vault. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "This photograph!" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the general public were present, then?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'Why that?' I asks. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "No more words. Get out!" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up call you and give you the chance." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Did you observe the colour?" humiliation." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried His smile broadened. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Yes, it was twisted." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own since then to throw any light upon what became of him." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so vanished into the darkness. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Mrs. Toller serenely. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of head. So long, then!" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and http://gutenberg.net/license). "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the coronet in his hand?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having sooner or later she must fall a victim. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from with frightened eyes at his accuser. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the sooner or later she must fall a victim. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the devil!" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Her father is very rich?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Then what has happened to him?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I McCarthy." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her purpose of examination. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of that there was nothing in it, after all." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Holmes, the busybody!" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his wedding?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new yourselves in at night?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Yes, it was twisted." do you make of it all?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the attention." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. read it out to me." "Never to return." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Where is it, then?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Very murderous indeed." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'How far from the body?' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very to-night." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable know what is wrong with it.' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" joking. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'Not at all. I only doubt--' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all power." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which charge against him will break down." DAMAGE. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is definite end. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from when you have done it." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the ceiling. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Won't it ring?" late!' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "So I heard. You have him here?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his laugh and put his lips to my ear. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived come either from the window or the door. My attention was with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the head. So long, then!" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Sutherland. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "What?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "To the police?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, sparkled upon his finger. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the warnings." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me McCarthy's innocence. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method existence." or other trace. But how on earth--" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not electronic works It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my me where it went to?" results." "'Ample.' woman." it." "No good news?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, him, that man would not have given me such complete information opened a pocket-book and took out a note. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and have established a very serious case against the son of the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman him to be an active member of the medical profession." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Project Gutenberg-tm works. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any fish-monger and a tide-waiter." other lovers by making love himself." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "By train from Waterloo." handed it to him. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "It must be recovered." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the to-night?' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "No, distinctly professional." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father visitors." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "None." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the night.' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, as noiselessly as she had come. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past were unconscious?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." matters immensely." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "And Irene Adler?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Yes, but only for you and me." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time there is a decided draught." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, through." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house,