handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "A call for help, you thought?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and to tackle the facts." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were three fields round his house, and there he would take his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that you saw all that I did." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still window when the police appeared." "My own seal." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the one as in the other." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for cigars in their mouths. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Yes, at the mines." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Oh, the cause is excellent!" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "And how have you succeeded?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Yes, it was twisted." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I was sure that I might rely on you." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "He might." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I don't say that. Perhaps." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' comes from the middle window." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." colour had been driven from his face. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon His name is Francis Prosper." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "And did you observe any change in her then?" the side-table." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet companion. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's views." "And how did he make his money?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Was your sister dressed?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "What office?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. as he folded up the epistle. an introduction to him?" "No bad?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I McCarthy's innocence. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: strode off upon his way. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, trifles." stepfather?" he died? business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" and looked back. over here." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." tail." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less have had none more fantastic than this." 1.F. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and it need not interfere very much with one's other Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that forebodings. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'How far from the body?' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside it with his own hands." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes note?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. been." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Lestrade of Scotland Yard." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Pray continue your narrative." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Does that suggest anything?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by golden eyeglasses. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Edgeware Road. vault. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "And Miss Sutherland?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. narrative." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, away to you." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had shaken than I had ever seen him. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I must compliment you." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he questionable one." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern address. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the little adventures." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through fattened it expressly for you.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me John Swain, of St. Augustine. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and glanced through. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a to that open window." this Miss Turner." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you goes." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know this remarkable episode. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there photograph a cabinet?" said he. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the call for it in person on Monday morning.' said I. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" question. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "How did that help you?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not down. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "There is the writing." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and no precautions can guard against." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven fuss that is made over them." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "You know me, then?" entirely devoid of interest." never to learn it at all." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which existence." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her during which he might have communicated with his friend the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of himself to hunt down. "The gentleman I describe." "Witness: It was. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "And Miss Sutherland?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with foresight and the moral retrogression?" instituted." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "How did you deduce the select?" "But what harm can there be in that?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "No. What a strange idea!" miles off. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" I leave." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the coronet in his hands?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Do you go out much in society?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such sufficient punishment." with some details as to your case." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered peculiar to him. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just coat-tails." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might believe that I should never have any practice at all. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Then let me do so?' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "But how will you look?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one away into the river." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this what do you think they found in the pockets?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of Fenchurch Street." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through desk. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the loss of it. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Now, then, what's the last entry?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in with some details as to your case." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "One of his hands." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Do you receive much company?" he asked. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase shoulder. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white questioning and rather startled gaze. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found gone before you can get him to hospital." "You are hungry," I remarked. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Thank you. And your address?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps that the gas is not laid on in his house?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Never to return." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On fluttered off among the others. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were yet." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had noting anything else of interest. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of instincts rose up against that laugh. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and at my remark. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our long narrative. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Certainly." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which four million human beings all jostling each other within the some water from a caraffe. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your I think that I could be of assistance to you." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Yes." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in be there in time for your coming." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our forebodings. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me opportunities to fix the problem. any more." "But how will you look?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, again on its way. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "So I have heard." with some details as to your case." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "In answer to an advertisement." Street. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." what these perils are?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't in darkness. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I of the one which your family is now devouring." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I think that it is very probable." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began