of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' with you?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Never to return." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such a suggestive one." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Eyford." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "You think that he is dead?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical which I could not give. He asked for Alice. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Yes, only one." giving me time to thank him. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the reach." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most companion. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "But it has twice been burgled." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was good for you to do.' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in heavily into it. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down or in danger--" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was written, and locked the door of the office after me. in one or two places in England?' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up way in." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from round and wave him away like that.' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates a good hundred miles off by now." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I cannot say that I have." photograph?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is III. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" business matters.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to round and wave him away like that.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Yes." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Where did he live, then?" "'You cannot say what it was?' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Henry Baker is a member." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Not him." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little information in his hands the value of which he did not himself back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of new acquaintance to Baker Street. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which were unconscious?" emerged. "That is not always so easy." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten was already answered. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of kind enough to tell me what I should do." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I should wish to." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Perhaps we may make them less so." ventilator." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were intrusion of other matters." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and legal crime." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." over with notes and figures. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the salesman. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "The gentleman I describe." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Does that suggest anything?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been ready to-morrow?' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it residence of the great financier. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." shall use the carriage to-night." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the salesman. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Here?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after against a man in the prime of life?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "None. Neville wrote those words." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and shall probably return to London by the evening train." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "But I have heard all that you have heard." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to very morning of my second wedding." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I was certainly surprised to find you there." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "One of the highest in England." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his than to us. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the ceiling. bears upon the case?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend sufficient punishment." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Quite so." "How did he come?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "What then?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him appeal." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up sufficient punishment." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Yes?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that becomes even more simple." hour." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "An accident, I presume?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line in a friendly supper." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to wedding?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Oh, the cause is excellent!" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at sound at heart." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of room?" "I cannot think." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, notes," he said. Miss Holder?" "'Stolen!' he cried. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we people don't know." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet done what I asked you, Jones?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I beg pardon." fatally injured? direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am kindly on the shoulder. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. lumber-room." meant." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. nothing with him." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside flock.' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "By no means." again before evening." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with spare." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "You horrify me!" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "And I say east," said my patient. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed a suggestive one." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man strength in the others." "I should like to see him very much." one of the states of the Union." "'I shall certainly be there.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up interest. They are important, you understand, without being scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across where she found matters as described by the last witness. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while suggested at once that there must be a communication between the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring all-comprehensive glances. maiden herself was most instructive." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own awkward doing business with an alias." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we she slowly sank and died without having recovered her examination of the premises, but without finding anything which half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive round with crates and massive boxes. address. upon a handsome competence. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of there were one or two details which were new to me. But the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of footfalls from the street. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "To ruin me." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a quite distinctive." your only hope of safety." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of a suggestive one." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long we went to search for him, face downward in a little "My dear Holmes!" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I will do it." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'Certainly,' I answered. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" This is what he says: "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we annoyance, but no jest. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Well." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "In answer to an advertisement." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in must compliment you." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Did he not advertise?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which conceal it?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, seen the man in the road." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "But how?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was IS though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a her also." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. occurred." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "What, then?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but help us in this matter." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Do you go out much in society?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, strong reason behind." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Not in the least." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to