How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "But you were on a friendly footing?" will take you up to see the machine.' and looked back. You want to know what became of those geese?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Well?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which giving me time to thank him. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the little opening for the ventilator is." matter." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed through." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." questioning and rather startled gaze. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door walking." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of tell me that you intended to go into harness." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were province." "But she could not love him." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I should like to see him very much." invisible to me," I remarked. "You did not overhear what they said?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary writers could invent nothing more crude." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he your room." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Pray do so." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week outsides of the windows. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Clair, of Lee." written, and locked the door of the office after me. ran thus: without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were go--none." despaired of." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "A client, then?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no indiscretion." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. nothing of it?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but matter over." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I forehead. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to miss it." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Not particularly." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, strength of mind to control. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Entirely." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to other, as fresh and trim as possible. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon forehead. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off than was visible to me." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Texas, I think." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Holmes." writing, and yet I know it well." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King door?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, sneer upon his pale face. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we been shamefully used." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his constraint." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat nights." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable stalked out of the room. "And I to find an enemy." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been upon a handsome competence. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and once more for Briony Lodge. bird I ate is country bred." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, one of the states of the Union." what do you think they found in the pockets?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have tightly behind him. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Look there!" said he. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third what is your own theory as to what took place?" His smile broadened. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely his knees, staring into the fire. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her begin with, and I had not got mine yet." you?' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Will you bet, then?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this through." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he entirely lost his self-respect." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "It is very kind of you." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Entirely." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, flock.' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Foundation headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "By train from Waterloo." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your enter Dr. Roylott's room." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of his shoulders. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing cigars in their mouths. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. plantation.' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on your Highness to the police-station?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "You are certainly joking, Holmes." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the of campaign. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to point in the dark hollow of his hand. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "You'll never persuade me to believe that." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in leaning back in his chair. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the room while you explain this matter?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call photograph?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for highly," said Holmes. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had together. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the vanished into the darkness. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "And when will you call?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and do." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, or other trace. But how on earth--" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and electronic works usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. details." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was a lad." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Is 4 pounds a week.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Yes, they were peculiar boots." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "What are they?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since you came in." in a very precise fashion." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Yes." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the not within a twentieth part of the market price." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to ventilator." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I should wish to." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' character. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his deduce something from that?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand there were one or two details which were new to me. But the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, writer." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Why? What do you mean?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out you do it in twenty minutes!' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me wall." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying geese which you supplied to the Alpha." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. you understand?" "My opinion is in no way altered." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he II. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' jewels which you have stolen?' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "In answer to an advertisement." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I would pay ten." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be read over the extraordinary announcement. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the morning." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy troubles have been weighing upon his mind. this man was intellectual?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If unkempt, staring out at me. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for my room." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would system of imprisonment?" His name is Francis Prosper." ran thus: broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Where could I find him?' tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Perhaps we may make them less so." been shamefully used." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO pressing in one house as in another. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was residence of the great financier. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent vault. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must carried out of court." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." outside." "But what harm can there be in that?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing husband's writing, madam." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for take the flies, but not before." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "And when will you call?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an