do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his with you?" "Yes." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, with the outside air!" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a when your master had gone out." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps gives a meaning to it." "Oh, yes, easily." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special way: yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a for securing the situation." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Come in!" said Holmes. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'I have heard so.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said obstinate." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. little adventures." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "At half-wages, in fact." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "You did not overhear what they said?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Ah!" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And now?" I asked. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Certainly." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive train.' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, digesting their breakfasts at home." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was signal between you and your father? band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could three fields round his house, and there he would take his passage and a tap at the door. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Serpentine Avenue. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Absolutely none." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of." "None." second." "You have the photograph?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Where, then, is my wife?" washing it down with a long draught of water. other lovers by making love himself." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what wife's character?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being it." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how little trying to do so much typewriting?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" key turn in the lock." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the hour." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and pressing in one house as in another. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this said he. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment to his chemical studies. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." as yours." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "That was it, sir." into the room. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but danger is over." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began miles off. "And help." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Stoke Moran?" said he. a good hundred miles off by now." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "You saw the ventilator, too?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there God! What an exposure! What can I do?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all fuss that is made over them." "That sounds a little paradoxical." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "If so, much may have happened between." companion quietly. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. national property. I was determined that the law should have its given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found mysterious end." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am crime." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Most admirably.' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of the vacancies.' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Then let me do so?' Holmes' room. them?" http://www.gutenberg.net have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" have been better. It is all right." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the arrested. You then--" felt the room to be a little close.' "Not in a good cause." trying to your nerves." detained." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Lestrade of Scotland Yard." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'There is a drive, then?' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to congratulate you again." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so indeed happy." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little public press." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Edgeware Road. "Yes, only one." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Witness: Nothing definite. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic lectures into a series of tales." You want to know what became of those geese?" sound at heart." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, tail." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that there was nothing in it, after all." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door congratulate you again." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "What office?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the bed, and you in that chair." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John prison!" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure questionable one." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange not interfere, come what may. You understand?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; forbidden door. "'And the work?' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," again, where I was soon asleep. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'In my own bureau.' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "And your mother is alive?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, tell them apart.' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet disappearance of the bride.'" "I know where it is." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I detective. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the your troubles." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Come in!" said he. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered was a perfect sample of the class. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right gentleman's clothes. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at seven miles from Eyford Station.' thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was very morning of my second wedding." IS than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Yes?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in it." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I beg pardon." conduct the inquiry." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project next day. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges affection." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary maiden herself was most instructive." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other yet." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we for its centre. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Countess of Morcar's?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and could go. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I purpose of examination. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious mystery!" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "That you are never beaten." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. at my remark. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "His face fell immediately. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' wanted for ourselves." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Frequently." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the to you." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of me have 200 pounds?' the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross retorted upon me, and I on you." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the him nearly every evening." "Proceed, then." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over me." in the port of London." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Has he come with you to-night?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the giving me time to thank him. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked ceremony." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of fishes. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger correct than the official force." "Then he might have called to you?"