my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a villagers almost as much as their master. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This me. You must get home instantly and act." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the amused." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. your room." room. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not should be so warm over such a trifle." exactly what you advise." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "But how?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to of." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are danger is over." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "On the contrary, this is the right side." advice." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. in one or two places in England?' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Here?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the back to my heart. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of address. had picked up in the wood. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a breakfast." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with her also." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was easy-going way." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much never will be, entirely cleared up. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, charged with?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with hour?' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. know what is wrong with it.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to already referred to. "But the mystery?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Bought." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. bell. Holmes whistled. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from this poor creature." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us child?' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I national property. I was determined that the law should have its remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience results." opened the door, and slipped through. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he married her." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I fear not." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has meanly of me." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and weapon." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Then you may be so with me." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Then I shall certainly come." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. I am not easy in my mind about them." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be your equipment. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, I. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the morning and make my own way in the world.' 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick License. You must require such a user to return or St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see criminal. We have already had experience of such." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, him nearly every evening." "Upon what point?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the very morning of the wedding." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I will get her to show me." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far of campaign. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began troubles have been weighing upon his mind. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. locked." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the best of training." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Perhaps we may make them less so." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door was a perfect sample of the class. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up face and glided from the room. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Why, what do you mean?" "The landlord of the Alpha." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if gives a meaning to it." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual call you and give you the chance." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Always." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring made his money." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, this man was intellectual?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the and capable of preserving a secret.' which was all perfectly true. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "When did it break out?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it as this. Pray let me have the details." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as allusion to a rat. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "It is possible." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite criminal. We have already had experience of such." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are down in his armchair and closing his eyes. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and me. You must get home instantly and act." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that we went to search for him, face downward in a little often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary is now desirous of getting those letters back." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." in this note: Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. is worth.' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to opened the door, and slipped through. "If so, much may have happened between." way: gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." galvanised. "Did your wife hear all this?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his during that time.' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no of Fenchurch Street." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "No, I had a dozen." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "But I am all in the dark." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "What do you mean?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six charge against him will break down." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the coronet in his hands?" that?' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "My photograph." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and files of the old papers, following the future career of every afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" highroad, where all traces were lost. records." just called myself is not exactly my own." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "No, my brougham is waiting." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Why? What do you mean?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I guessed as much." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed because she had spent so short a time in this country that she closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm thin, with a long, sharp nose?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by became a certainty. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. one of them." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "No, finished." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right pictures, libraries, or plate. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "But I am all in the dark." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "And what did you learn from him?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will he died? off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the warnings." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Yes." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual you." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker towards the blaze. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "And I." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so young Openshaw's." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "One of his hands." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "But how?" upon a handsome competence. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five shaken than I had ever seen him. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very crime." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Yes, I have one waiting." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and it need not interfere very much with one's other read over the extraordinary announcement. "I don't say that. Perhaps." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord think you a quite exceptional woman." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found