I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the upon an income of about 60 pounds." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear written, and locked the door of the office after me. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Where is it, then?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to have that photograph." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, to change my dress. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in strength." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Always." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. mystery may be cleared along those lines." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my believe that I should never have any practice at all. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." married her." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was outbreak?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Mrs. Toller serenely. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you becomes even more simple." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Street. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the conclusions. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "In which, sir?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and the whole place is in a blaze." "No sign of it?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "It is no ordinary one." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there chair. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'About the same.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and true." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Well?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it there has been an enclosure here!" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I himself to hunt down. hard-headed British jury." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. stalked out of the room. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And is that all?" "I cannot tell." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace redistribution. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or presented more singular features than that which was associated "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection gbnewby@pglaf.org ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" details." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as three fields round his house, and there he would take his crime." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him correct than the official force." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I felt the room to be a little close.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and tell me that you intended to go into harness." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "No more words. Get out!" "Do you know him?" "'Is purely nominal.' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "And on what day did he meet his death?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son cup of tea. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening guilty parties." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one ways of our fellow-men." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "He disappeared so suddenly." late!' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "One of his hands." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by hair?' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white questioning and rather startled gaze. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. success. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" and your relations to her." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my future lives." "'And what salary do you ask?' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "What will you do, then?" his eyes and forehead. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the trying to your nerves." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Yes, only one." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns golden eyeglasses. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray was once confined in the cab my mission was practically surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "What!" he roared. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, father's place of business?" my friend's incisive reasoning. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That strength of mind to control. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "No, finished." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Here?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. morning." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some peculiar to him. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to nonsense.' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good fire. You quite follow me?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no said I. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not child?' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up nice household for a young lady." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "But you were on a friendly footing?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "But I have heard all that you have heard." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old possible that we could bring him back to her? dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and little trying to do so much typewriting?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Was the window open?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "No, finished." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, she to prove their authenticity?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Was there a secret marriage?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was morning." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New hardly wander." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the at a side door. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he article?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "And how have you succeeded?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my success. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Farm upon the left." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "No, my brougham is waiting." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "You have the photograph?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, least a most suspicious remark." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "But how did you gain them?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an enter Dr. Roylott's room." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and events, Mr. Windibank!" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of empty. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "And how have you succeeded?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." desk. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat DISSOLVED. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Did you observe the colour?" waste of energy." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to said he. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as four million human beings all jostling each other within the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "What will you do, then?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon allusion to a rat. chambers. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" that you wished to speak to me?' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain in his power. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that sooner or later she must fall a victim. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'What do you call purely nominal?' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. returned to France?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his some city in a dream. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "And now?" I asked. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself character. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be business came to an end." into the bag, and made for the door. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "It came here." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Oh, the cause is excellent!" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the you." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." few hundred pounds.' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Holmes." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into corner of the building. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "But we can't all be." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like photograph a cabinet?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if when your master had gone out." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a out of this horrible affair." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of your bag." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, meant it for the best. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King paper in the air. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my whole matter to your consideration."