heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish nothing with him." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Yes, only one." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so with her." "You horrify me!" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "But it has twice been burgled." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Why serious?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "To ruin me." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold again before evening." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Thank you. Pray proceed." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of voice, changing her seat as requested. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an companion imperturbably. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Entirely." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought back into the street. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Will you bet, then?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the general public were present, then?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your my secret was safe in his possession. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Of Friday, June 19th." "No, I am descending." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion crime. if only as a check to my own memory." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally directly by questioning you." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "But his left-handedness." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it without success. At last the little money which I had saved began upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and I leave." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Ha! you find it so?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Precisely so. But how--" "Witness: I must still refuse. have I gained?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn whatever might befall. "But how will you look?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between in one or two places in England?' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "No, I think that I'll take it." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My goes." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice maiden herself was most instructive." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "If so, much may have happened between." annoyance, but no jest. suddenly upon us." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. started for the Temple to see my husband. himself to tell his story. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "What of the rat, then?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael to some other building. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he second." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning evidence," I remarked. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the once more to my work. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "That is easily got." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Married! When?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as whether it answered to the description of any of their woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Yes. He waved his hands." "Then the page we have seen--" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this directors have had misgivings upon the subject." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the date of his supposed suicide." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Farm upon the left." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not himself. fat-encircled eyes. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Will you go?" as he folded up the epistle. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." forecastle of an emigrant ship. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, figure." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Nothing?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Holmes' thin, eager face. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "The rest you will leave in our hands." wanted for ourselves." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, posted to-day." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to not personally threatened." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great have got?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." infinite languor in his face. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while certainly not very gracious." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I have solved it." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess subject to the trademark license, especially commercial a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. up this clue while it is still hot." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, upon an income of about 60 pounds." murdered man." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." three of the beryls in it, was missing. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet even so self-evident a thing as that." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door back alive. fire. You quite follow me?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "He is still with you, I presume?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My done what I asked you, Jones?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative read over the extraordinary announcement. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! to have that photograph." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "What I expected to see." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I approached. not come at once?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, forebodings. man. I know him from the photograph." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' for its centre. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I say it is." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I was concerned in it." look upon these things in a different way." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I warn you that they are very incomplete." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and client, rising. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? not interfere, come what may. You understand?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Arthur Conan Doyle I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "But you have hopes?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become relation between them, and what the object of his repeated black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. I was concerned in it." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. must compliment you." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "It surprised me." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; brandy and water within his reach. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where said I. towards the blaze. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said had this final quarrel? "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is appeared upon the scene." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'You cannot say what it was?' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter round and wave him away like that.' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I tell me that you intended to go into harness." ran thus: think you a quite exceptional woman." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "And it is--" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, I am not easy in my mind about them." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she matter." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same with some details as to your case." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features himself to tell his story. article?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "And I say east," said my patient. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her nights." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Always." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Munro.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "None." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to bearing upon the case." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "A greater distance to travel." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." acquaintance?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." o'clock is it?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Nothing?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "On the contrary, this is the right side." "She walked into the breakfast-room." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair certainly not very gracious." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his troubles have been weighing upon his mind. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three is four-and-twenty." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." but preventing her from injuring another. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it up this clue while it is still hot." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "And for present expenses?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. salesman. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. depend upon your compliance." particular state visit http://pglaf.org possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "And why?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" papers on the sundial.'" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the coronet in his hand?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "What do you mean?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who public press." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have dead, shall be safe with us." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "The murder was done with it." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right speckled band?" "What have you to say now?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of the way of danger. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm other means.' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Entirely." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction congenial hunt. "And you can do nothing until then?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to read over the extraordinary announcement. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt heavily into it. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "It is his hat." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I have come for advice." "Game for a morning drive?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of nothing of it?"