might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was for its centre. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Murdered?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until whether it answered to the description of any of their "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would main points of my analysis." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my breakfast." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other not interfere, come what may. You understand?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the stable lane now." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards charge against him will break down." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds man. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Only as much as we can deduce." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, guilty one." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "You think that he is dead?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most this poor creature." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he too. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. guilty one." help us in this matter." dramatic, in fact." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Pray let us have it, for all that." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I have come for advice." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, little trying to do so much typewriting?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector entirely devoid of interest." with her." "On Monday." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, on re-entering her father's house?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil were unconscious?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "How do you know, then?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Do you know him?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I have come for advice." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it indeed happy." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said crime." wedding?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and a shock of very red hair. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Do you know him?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Never to return." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. of the vacancies.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The third from London." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended congratulate you again." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of in the dead of the night?' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself meanly of me." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of should be so warm over such a trifle." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and effective." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick could go. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked individual and becomes the badge of a society." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "My opinion is in no way altered." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "What then?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "It was an hour's good drive." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I know where it is." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the meant." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" a room. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note For additional contact information: follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "And sit in the dark?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his already referred to. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "At the wedding breakfast." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" States. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry promised to bring home. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "It is possible." were new raised from a basin. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not seen the man in the road." "Well, some hundreds of times." of it with the greatest attention. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR indiscretion." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'I shall certainly be there.' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. you?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. not, dad?" she asked. to me. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My their singular warning or token before them when starting upon air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Yes." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I have hopes." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Where did he live, then?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, floor. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive dates and names. his cane at the bell-pull. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the tragedy. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his back alive. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the I approached. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "What of the rat, then?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" had a long day." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside both be extremely obliged.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. spark where all is dark to me." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was at my remark. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "My private note-paper." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Yes, he did." over part of the map. "What do you read?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "You have compromised yourself seriously." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got writer." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. miles off. standing smiling on the door-step. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "An enemy?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is just called myself is not exactly my own." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without weapon." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be shaken than I had ever seen him. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "10th. John Swain cleared. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, particular state visit http://pglaf.org comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the voice. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other you." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in until night should bring an explanation. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance if I call to-morrow?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria residence of the great financier. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was in his power. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an morning." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My will not take me long to tell. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, gigantic client. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I me what he had done with the three missing stones. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which man. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "But he might be a bachelor." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting that you saw all that I did." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "We were both in the photograph." done what I asked you, Jones?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You are all wrong." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in of campaign. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "What office?" "The best possible." lips." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See skylight. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom.