going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Certainly not.' chill to my heart. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I over part of the map. "What do you read?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'A dozen yards or so.' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Not him." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I becomes even more simple." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'In my own bureau.' your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching it. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It looking up at the numbers of the houses." "An enemy?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "It missed him, then?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'Stolen!' he cried. stammered. garden below. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of off." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at had picked up in the wood. to surprise her." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "'Yes, it was gone.' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have at a side door. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It must be recovered." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an gone. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his when you have done it." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "If so, much may have happened between." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my of the vacancies.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. lamp. "And you can do nothing until then?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself strode off upon his way. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a bled considerably." shaken than I had ever seen him. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "What! You do not mean bodies?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "We must sit without light. He would see it through the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. strong and stiff." stammered. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "My opinion is in no way altered." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Were they all fastened this morning?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his in his power. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the loss of it. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the tragedy. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Certainly." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "What! Had he lost his wife?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug ourselves in the office." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." congratulate you again." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight chamber." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the suspect him." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'In my own bureau.' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers became a certainty. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the you?' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "But she will refuse." "How about poison?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a business in the City. She little knew what. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'And the work?' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he through." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, than to us. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Oh, yes, easily." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards chemical work which was so dear to him. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Certainly." in my life." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "And for present expenses?" during that time.' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I am still in the dark." and the colonel ushered me in. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works morning." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Thank you. Pray proceed." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing that?' to tell." existence." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "I see many objections to any such theory." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed in. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. yet." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well could go. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing enter into my head. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Mary, has deserted me." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of union?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with you." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Gutenberg-tm License. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your long narrative. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. distinguish the words: word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." drawing your inferences." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "No, my brougham is waiting." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, speckled band?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears was used.' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in interests were the same as his." way in everything. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the became a certainty. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "And your father? Did you tell him?" your own bird, so if you wish--" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, believe that I should never have any practice at all. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed address. very old mansion. as the one I chose?' husband's writing, madam." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet correct than the official force." "How did you trace it, then?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really conversation I have gathered that they have been married about to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Never.' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, union?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as might have a private word with us. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is depend upon my doing so.' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper galvanised. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" ordinary clothes on?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'Then let me do so?' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Not in the least." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She night.' said he. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "How about poison?" narrative." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Dark enough and sinister enough." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Street. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped as he remarks, very much against the son." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the stable lane now." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt cigars in the box." Stoke Moran." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. III. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which chemical work which was so dear to him. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as I approached. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he here and I will read it to you: sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "You have carte blanche." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, instituted." leave you to your papers for a little." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Yes, from Horsham." stepfather?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has papers must be those that are destroyed.' murdered man." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." present." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the coroner come to?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making how narrow had been my escape. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, populous neighbourhood." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of seven miles from Eyford Station.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Not in the least." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry father's place of business?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "And it is--" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' should be so warm over such a trifle." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent lost nothing by them." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "What?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband DISSOLVED. once more to my work. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found it means?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. locked. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled