abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at lamp in his hand. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'I am sure if I had known--' Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "The knees of his trousers." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." be.' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking place of silver." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Perhaps I have." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think experiences." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it I nodded again. know that the truth is known." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what congratulate you again." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and both be extremely obliged.' business matters.' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Sutherland?" "It was an hour's good drive." "How did that help you?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Not I." question," said Holmes, smiling. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll presented which may be striking and bizarre without being hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to at once, for I have only half an hour." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the straightened it out again. "'How far from the body?' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "No good news?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he conversation I have gathered that they have been married about have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Where, indeed?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better ventilator." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "That is not always so easy." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and the whole place is in a blaze." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the iron safe, which he closed upon it. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Mary, has deserted me." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The figure." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She hardly wander." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair goes." tail." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "My dear Holmes!" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the stones. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Well, but China?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Proceed, then." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Count Von Kramm." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either ways including including checks, online payments and credit card during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "But he might be a bachelor." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "No." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "No, thank goodness, she did not." fact, we may call it conclusive." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was during that time.' "It is his hat." official police." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon other lovers by making love himself." "'Ten to two.' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the dangers which encompass me." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously tightly behind him. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Then let me do so?' problems help me to do so." Arthur Conan Doyle "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened one which it was hard to resist. see a sister of mine apply for." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to you." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I saw her in conversation with her maid." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you papers." hand, madam?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more himself in a perplexing position. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a was shining brightly. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "No bad?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all tightly behind him. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, away to you." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was security.' of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Then the page we have seen--" "You did not overhear what they said?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Who by?" the house with me." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "The Cedars?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, it." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." train.' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing for its centre. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my husband's writing, madam." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Gutenberg-tm License. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your distance from the station, and there we found the young lady status with the IRS. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Why that?' I asks. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I read over the extraordinary announcement. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "It is no ordinary one." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even open." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. breakfast." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "The doctor?" "Do you go out much in society?" joking. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Because he was handy and would come cheap." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, row." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Look there!" said he. Have you good authority for what you say?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "And you don't know his address?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Witness: I must still refuse. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and persecution?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Then I am your man." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings within hail.' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for we went to search for him, face downward in a little should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could recall any case within my experience which looked at the first inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Then the page we have seen--" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson persecution?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the King without delay." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the address that was given us in the advertisement. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and the whole place is in a blaze." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the would apply.' "No." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was reach." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "That also I could fathom." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It letters?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that himself to hunt down. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was exactly what you advise." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' prisoner's face. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm that you can jump it.' the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Yes." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'I have already given you my word.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." skylight. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ gives a meaning to it." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured as he folded up the epistle. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Yes." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "9th. McCauley cleared. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" acquaintance?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And it is--" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which chill to my heart. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "And how in the world did you find them?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" off." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one States. detained." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "It is true that I have been generally successful." there." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to