down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are indeed happy." "No, distinctly professional." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling said I. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Mrs. Toller serenely. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "That is unusual in a young girl." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from throat." "No, but the enclosure is." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been it were putty." see me here to avoid scandal." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I say that I have solved it." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. married her." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the three of the beryls in it, was missing. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official you for a few hours?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Precisely." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And what did you see?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" asked. notes," he said. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "That was it, sir." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by have established a very serious case against the son of the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I should be immensely obliged to you." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they during that time.' "Just look it up, then." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold detained." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "When did it break out?" fuss that is made over them." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: someone who had been in Australia." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the with some details as to your case." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there acquaintance?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon neither fascinating nor artistic." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Look there!" said he. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Where does the thing come from?' door?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary directly by questioning you." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how roused himself from his reverie. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I cannot say that I have." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." arrested. You then--" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Farm upon the left." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. bears upon the case?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and shall probably return to London by the evening train." formed some opinion?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more views." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced of his shoulders. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of so.' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that enter Dr. Roylott's room." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I would pay ten." matter." assist you in forming an opinion." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Why serious?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "But you would not advise me to refuse?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." been with you?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and whether it answered to the description of any of their himself to tell his story. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried mysterious business." "But how?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well hands. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I say that I have solved it." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Then he might have called to you?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents posted to-day." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at yourselves in at night?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Well, but China?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to developed." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. you want, then?' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, it." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Certainly." nonsense.' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the matter." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "And what did you see?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "An accident, I presume?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so for its centre. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes soul! here is her carriage at the door." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who occupations.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The examination of the premises, but without finding anything which possible that we could bring him back to her? "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing careless servant girl?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do my special province." "Yes." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. could gather together that I was able to avert another public clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to have been better. It is all right." "None. Neville wrote those words." is acting for the best. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "You'll never persuade me to believe that." peculiar to him. "To ruin me." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "But of what society?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is newspaper selections." what is your own theory as to what took place?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "And for present expenses?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Why did you beat the pavement?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the room while you explain this matter?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of a very grave face. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector nothing of it?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the your bag." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you will not take me long to tell. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as present strange and interesting features that it is no easy what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Henry Baker is a member." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly upon the sideboard." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the ceiling. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Yes." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile away in different directions, and I went off to make my own shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, that, and I came down." to tell." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Absolutely?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I don't say that. Perhaps." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "And Miss Sutherland?" until night should bring an explanation. "A client, then?" I approached. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie horse could go." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." name is different." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late meant it for the best. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "My photograph." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before people don't know." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "What?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our front of me. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Not yet." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "And why?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. guilty parties." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use pictures, libraries, or plate. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "You heard nothing yourself last night?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Then he might have called to you?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And sit in the dark?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover gbnewby@pglaf.org some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the persecution?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he jewels which you have stolen?' and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly before the coroner and the police-court." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his lips." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, never will be, entirely cleared up. room had already been engaged for us. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked his grey eyes. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Yes, he did." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the coronet in his hand?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San silent! Oh, he will be silent!' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should mysterious business." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has bearing upon the case." drove away. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I cannot tell." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Countess of Morcar's?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "And did you observe any change in her then?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very