he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to arrive at through this?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand back into the street. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I think it very unlikely." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from him!" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's bearing upon the case." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I have come for advice." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, cause to be." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just business at Coburg Square is serious." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' digesting their breakfasts at home." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the sake, don't!" you." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his way in everything. will he say when he returns?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Clair, of Lee." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Yes." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "There is the writing." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or looking up at the numbers of the houses." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some already been minutely examined." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'Where could I find him?' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a less than 26s. 4d. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "She showed me, as I told you she would." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Watson," he said cordially. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who see a sister of mine apply for." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon in one or two places in England?' one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill that you can jump it.' cup of tea. "It is very clear." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. it." imbecility!" he cried. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Street. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if galvanised. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be always that they were such commands as a lady might with Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "And the murderer?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "What are they?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I crime." "I say it is." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Street. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a not fit the lock." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that he has suffered." a very grave face. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored in a very precise fashion." "You were travelling in the States?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few The note was undated, and without either signature or address. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a there in twenty minutes." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" out." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I am armed." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." my special province." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears purpose of examination. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey woman." "Then I can wait in the next room." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have my special province." "I would pay ten." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you you understand?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" you." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Then I do not see the point." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already where we are going." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I guessed as much." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Witness: It was. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to little adventures." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and strode off upon his way. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "You have the photograph?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "When did it break out?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. him to go away.' feature." "But what is it you wish?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "The rest you will leave in our hands." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. my friend's incisive reasoning. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible likely to be some crony of the landlady's." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, from the brougham. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your flock.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had call it cruel." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came business?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face nothing of it?" "Yes, but only for you and me." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' to some other building. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That weigh very heavily upon my conscience." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing within hail.' washing it down with a long draught of water. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own as he folded up the epistle. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the chamber." for and were ordered to this address. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few bed dies. Does not that strike you?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I have hopes." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any again." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "My Mary? Impossible!" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "The murder was done with it." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "But he might be a bachelor." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" crime. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Nothing." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the stable lane now." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom directly by questioning you." danger is over." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough secret." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'In my own bureau.' figure." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the occupations.' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal manager. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Eh? What was that?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark married her." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." your own bird, so if you wish--" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "So I heard. You have him here?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself photograph a cabinet?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I breakfast." "It is very clear." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" during which he might have communicated with his friend the asked. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "No, I am descending." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it open." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the indiscretion." to-morrow." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hands. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, breakfast?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I have hopes." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "'Never.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It approach us with offers to donate. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman upon the shelf for the interim." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "A call for help, you thought?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an tension within him. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another assist you in forming an opinion." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was must be when I saw the door open.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "What I expected to see." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who towards the blaze. and your relations to her." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told of note-paper. It read in this fashion: impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One out." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple directors, with the result that you have seen." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the already been minutely examined." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: compunction about shooting them down." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Could he throw no light?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait golden eyeglasses. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault