people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." begun to whiten, even as mine has." envelope. was feeling which was the fattest.' I was concerned in it." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close matter." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "And why?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "At the wedding breakfast." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile families. Now for the facts. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the side. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an But Holmes shook his head gravely. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A tapping his fingers upon the table. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great she might be summoned. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Thank you. And your address?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the ceiling. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net you." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Really! You surprise me." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to-morrow." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the one of the states of the Union." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At do.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is side. yourselves in at night?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the constraint." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Ah!" lost his Christmas dinner." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, business at Coburg Square is serious." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Upon what point?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which letters?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the Red-headed League." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the opportunities to fix the problem. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "My stepfather's business papers." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford them, and came down just as you departed. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "BALLARAT." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great open." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We less than 26s. 4d. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "I am sure." "Certainly." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family strength of mind to control. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical States. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always night.' said he. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to over with notes and figures. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Tired-looking or fresh?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? think you a quite exceptional woman." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' read over the extraordinary announcement. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS morning." minor matters until to-morrow." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not in the hope of finding them." in the dead of the night?' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Yes, from Horsham." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend bell. Holmes whistled. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of more solid." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which there is a decided draught." the general public were present, then?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the window, rose as we entered. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "But how did you gain them?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he upon an income of about 60 pounds." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little to-night?' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "And for present expenses?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have details." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which impression behind it as though a window had gently closed particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Yes." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its stepfather?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, questionable one." "'How far from the body?' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was arrangements." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met constraint." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and no precautions can guard against." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, purpose of examination. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "But you can know nothing of this?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was one's self under obligations.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure place no limit on the sum I may draw." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Married! When?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I think it very unlikely." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and both be extremely obliged.' stalked out of the room. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which not within a twentieth part of the market price." to change my dress. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "How about poison?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand direction." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic intimate personal affairs in this public manner." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to had died away into the silence from which it rose. key of the affair now." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold girl said." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had call for protection in the marriage market, for the present band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying my room." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole ordinary clothes on?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but tell me that you intended to go into harness." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "It may not come to that," said Holmes. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point you in yours." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" to-night." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I October 9, 1890. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door round and wave him away like that.' this Miss Turner." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Edgeware Road. your only hope of safety." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "10th. John Swain cleared. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'Quite sure, dad.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed in darkness. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the happened." Arthur Conan Doyle to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope closing the door. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see quick march!" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I see many objections to any such theory." answered with a sidelong glance. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Very much so." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little back to my heart. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would that the gas is not laid on in his house?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, became a certainty. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared whereabouts. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "By all means." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again union?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if brandy and water within his reach. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me it." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. will not take me long to tell. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "You have a clue?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Which are?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Not yet." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." stammered. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. my secret was safe in his possession. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a London for the present?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was annoyance, but no jest. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and tell them apart.' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I am not easy in my mind about them." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the you." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell himself. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'What then?' I asked. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' heavily into it. meant it for the best. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the best of training." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "My private note-paper." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'You cannot say what it was?' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I cannot as yet see any connection." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect never will be, entirely cleared up. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you not interfere, come what may. You understand?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough call it cruel." "No, but the enclosure is." in the port of London." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as place of silver." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the