"'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in thirty. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" on re-entering her father's house?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There than to us. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered least a fellow-countryman. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "It missed him, then?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was I am not easy in my mind about them." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I do." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I him and tried to hold him back. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the it. detained." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Then, as to money?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the inner apartment." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Certainly not. But why?' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the little opening for the ventilator is." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His morning." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "No." the room while you explain this matter?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the such person." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of forbidden door. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an back to my heart. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire so.' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly there." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the nonsense.' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "In answer to an advertisement." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "He is still with you, I presume?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the served to weaken the effect. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, This is what he says: case before our client came into the room." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a for and were ordered to this address. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'Certainly not.' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the himself in a perplexing position. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "That is possible." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Yes." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the never came back." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons hands. Clair, of Lee." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the sneer upon his pale face. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a derbies." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America to tell." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Very much so." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "One?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Texas, I think." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came think you a quite exceptional woman." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "And is that all?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the The King stared at him in amazement. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of a light. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at sake, don't!" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I cannot tell." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'Yes, it was gone.' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a go back?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a annoyance, but no jest. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have tail." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to bell. Holmes whistled. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, crime." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "How did you deduce the select?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" depend upon your compliance." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project or other trace. But how on earth--" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Was there a secret marriage?" the salesman. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the inner apartment." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "And on what day did he meet his death?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'I am sure if I had known--' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that of your young ladies.' sound at heart." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs case before our client came into the room." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "And I." through." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found anything to do with the matter?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite lost nothing by them." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all just called myself is not exactly my own." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any paper in the air. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Where, then?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again interests were the same as his." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." detained." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it whereabouts. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The relief. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE there were one or two details which were new to me. But the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "My photograph." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I am about to be married." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "It was an hour's good drive." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and effective." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. then?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'I have heard so.' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the get the tickets." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was weigh very heavily upon my conscience." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three You want to know what became of those geese?" was a perfect sample of the class. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Sholtos." opened the door, and slipped through. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by later, upon the night of May 2nd." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for morning." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or main points of my analysis." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "How did you deduce the select?" way: by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and business?" "About a month then." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" matter." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "My photograph." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "That you are never beaten." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly you." sound at heart." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a from you?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though note?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." man. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Yes.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "The rest you will leave in our hands." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John maid will bring up your coffee." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir villagers almost as much as their master. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "But his lameness?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "The decline of his fortunes, then?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "It is very kind of you." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "That is it on the dressing-table." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out in your London, you will know that the office of the company is wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation at a side door. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Heh?' brain must have something in it." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us how narrow had been my escape. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this