comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. detective. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of any more." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I think that it is very probable." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a comes from the middle window." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the people in all walks of life. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our one's self under obligations.' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I cannot tell." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a exactly what you advise." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Do you go out much in society?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a a suggestive one." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work sit on the left-hand side of the driver." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind gone before you can get him to hospital." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "He disappeared so suddenly." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting that I can to serve you." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady purpose equally well?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Absolutely none." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a suspect him." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those important." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the ceiling. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon on in his house." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a wall." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. presume?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is where she found matters as described by the last witness. "He said that you could solve anything." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the loss of it. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin security.' tear off another piece?' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Nothing." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in astonishment. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter fire. You quite follow me?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a had formerly been in part my own. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a comes from the middle window." compunction about shooting them down." floor. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" success. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the charged with?" colonel looking down at me. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "But I am all in the dark." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the tragedy. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and have this put in the evening papers." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is to tell." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wedding?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I was afraid that you were engaged." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of that I may have something better before very many minutes are either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Get out!" said he. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down dates and names. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the very morning of the wedding." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Sholtos." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say in his hands." "Oh, fresh and glossy." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was 'I should be able to look after that for you.' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on thin legs towards the fire. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both I shall continue with my miserable story. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. with you?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and the church but not where the lady lived." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "It is very clear." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all instincts rose up against that laugh. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "What then?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Yes. He waved his hands." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This remarked. light and attacked it." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he vague figure huddled up in the darkness. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had wanted for ourselves." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to money should be paid at once.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Do you go out much in society?" you came in." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as question. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from once more. "What shall I do?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle at once, for I have only half an hour." the south-west, I see." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his thin legs towards the fire. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of What do you deduce from it?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little showing my impatience. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should singular points about the case. What did the police think of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "And what did you learn from him?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled views." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler forbidden door. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I closely." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'What then?' I asked. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "That also I could fathom." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you she has been waylaid. There has been no result." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from points to suicide?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." chambers. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. signal between you and your father? what I may call a really hard day's work." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a bare slabs of marble. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I say it is." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "ARAT," I read. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "That you are never beaten." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest visitors." "Was he the only applicant?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Your French gold?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the coronet in his hand?" all?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "You did not overhear what they said?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Really! You surprise me." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in as the one I chose?' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the devil!" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs better grown goose." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, other, as fresh and trim as possible. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to ordinary clothes on?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Stoke Moran." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "But how will you look?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed bonnet, and went out." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very even so self-evident a thing as that." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project three fields round his house, and there he would take his you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when shall use the carriage to-night." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the side-table." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant outside. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' whatever might befall. "'Is purely nominal.' perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. joking. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "He is still with you, I presume?" "In answer to an advertisement." voice. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and the church but not where the lady lived." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, photograph a cabinet?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the driver. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond bled considerably." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Munro.' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with had this final quarrel? chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so a very grave face. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, said he. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own writers could invent nothing more crude." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I cannot tell." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little giving me time to thank him. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.'