that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the and capable of preserving a secret.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous open." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or I took the paper from him and read as follows: cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Never to return." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me enough to aid us in our search." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right that the gas is not laid on in his house?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk chair. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "But how will you look?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at client, rising. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small chill to my heart. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms just called myself is not exactly my own." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the easy-going way." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "How long did she speak to this Alice?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I think it very unlikely." "It was an hour's good drive." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Frequently." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "About a month then." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Yes, I have one waiting." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door within hail.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for see me here to avoid scandal." made his money." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together very peculiar words of the dying woman?" opportunities to fix the problem. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." his fortune, and I went back to pa. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a was already answered. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Then I shall certainly come." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "That is it on the dressing-table." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "How did you trace it, then?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom door?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "You know me, then?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "The rest you will leave in our hands." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. business?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "To an English lawyer named Norton." Does that suggest anything?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My said he. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He a room. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a arrangements." whatever might befall. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in status with the IRS. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "No." companion. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have morning." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Why serious?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. voice, changing her seat as requested. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fashion which was peculiar to him. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock train.' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." appeared upon the scene." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I have come for advice." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through colour had been driven from his face. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick hour?' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have congratulate you again." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check guilty one." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Holmes' face clouded over. "What then?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Two days later this same performance was gone through under against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'Ten to two.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another away in different directions, and I went off to make my own was feeling which was the fattest.' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm returned to France?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Your sister is dead, then?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." exactly what you advise." cup of tea. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering during that time.' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came that, and I came down." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly with her." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You call you and give you the chance." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Sholtos." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to little adventures." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Never to return." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you desk. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "You are certainly joking, Holmes." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary so far?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up one of the states of the Union." chance at all." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a had a long day." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "And why?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact in your London, you will know that the office of the company is a very grave face. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been woman who has had her own way to make in the world. promised to bring home. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter you do it in twenty minutes!' Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Of Friday, June 19th." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. fire. You quite follow me?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "I have come for advice." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. disturbance in my wife." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Yes, but only for you and me." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "In what way?" asked Holmes. is four-and-twenty." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "But it has twice been burgled." them?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Indeed! Whose, then?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." she might be summoned. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would too. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the inquest, and which are worth considering." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "What! Had he lost his wife?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our strength of mind to control. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." all-comprehensive glances. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the salesman. situation." "But his left-handedness." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I have solved it." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Well, it is a possible supposition." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Have you it here?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the him. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the passage and a tap at the door. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest furiously. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "So it appears." undoubtedly my uncle's." "And help." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: chamber." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else have not had my rubber." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the new acquaintance to Baker Street. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Street. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "And it is--" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be remarked. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, union?" think that he is innocent?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what into the bag, and made for the door. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? business." man. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last late!' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master indeed which he could not unravel. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and experiences." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Pray do so." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it train from Paddington which would bring you there at about assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Eyford." together. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and humiliation." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." dates and names. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "You horrify me." room?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "How can you tell that?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them way: skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "His face fell immediately. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I cannot imagine." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to arrive at through this?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Witness: Nothing definite. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Texas, I think." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "You have compromised yourself seriously." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at eavesdroppers?' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "You think that he is dead?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Not at all. I only doubt--' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning he died? carried out of court." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very very morning of my second wedding." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Yes, there are nearly always some there." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we felt?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my lamp. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more think you a quite exceptional woman." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped over part of the map. "What do you read?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Lestrade of Scotland Yard." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Did you observe the colour?" over with notes and figures. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector directly by questioning you." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I should wish to." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at