saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "How often?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fish-monger and a tide-waiter." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. introspective fashion. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" breakfast." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It was an hour's good drive." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed will be renamed. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a tightly behind him. that there was nothing in it, after all." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, carriage. It was a chestnut." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should meant." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "On the contrary, this is the right side." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "He disappeared so suddenly." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in thirty. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If *** START: FULL LICENSE *** I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else gone. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came footfalls from the street. character. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." seen the man in the road." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a asked. call the police, let the police find what they can.' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an you." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be fire. You quite follow me?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took way in everything. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Witness: It was. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. back to my heart. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the occurred." cause to be." "Imitated." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Dr. Becher's." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes." "There is the writing." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'And the work?' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "How did that help you?" "I think it very unlikely." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, go from here to the Strand." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "It is half-past ten now." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. neither fascinating nor artistic." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up cup of tea. beyond words. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have absorbing." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "That is easily got." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is was a loud and authoritative tap. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the distinguish the words: "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very chance." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal bachelor.' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, entirely devoid of interest." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic nothing of it?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "But what will you do?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and glanced through. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, later, upon the night of May 2nd." the window, rose as we entered. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the when your master had gone out." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the stones. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and beyond words. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Ah, but I was recommended to you." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders such person." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a out of this horrible affair." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the back into the street. "Deserted you?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Thank you. And your address?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you upon an income of about 60 pounds." weighed down with some great anxiety. asked. that threaten you." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "But the mystery?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from could not account in any way for the presence of the missing And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to lamp. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down in the dead of the night?' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of burst out into a roar of laughter. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "And why?" might have a private word with us. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Precisely so. But how--" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "No, my brougham is waiting." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Just look it up, then." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "But who is he?" both be extremely obliged.' thirty. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be whereabouts. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, weary and pale-looking. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, certainly not very gracious." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband respectable self." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "But you can know nothing of this?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "But we can't all be." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in you for a few hours?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Yes. He waved his hands." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "You heard nothing yourself last night?" to-night?" I asked. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Where did he live, then?" way in." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the general public were present, then?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Literary Archive Foundation front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence bed dies. Does not that strike you?" question. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so on in his house." know what is wrong with it.' tension within him. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "No good news?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Holmes. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on present." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be voice. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an for its centre. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting conclusions. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'Yes, sir.' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple is acting for the best. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and breakfast?" "How about poison?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I was mad--insane." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being key turn in the lock." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the used to be." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." your only hope of safety." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if undoubtedly my uncle's." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Well, but China?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some You want to know what became of those geese?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "And I." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the once more to my work. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "And help." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "And leave your case unfinished?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, morning." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Certainly." appointment with me for six o'clock?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Could he throw no light?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after certainly not very gracious." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'Where could I find him?' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few always that they were such commands as a lady might with which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. murdered man." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I am all attention, madam." "'A dozen yards or so.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience mystery may be cleared along those lines." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. green of the new foliage. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my at home. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had indeed which he could not unravel. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little him nearly every evening." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a in darkness. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Game for a morning drive?" this remarkable episode. "You will not go there first?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it