few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you bedroom door." her also." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys at home. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the enter into my head. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the inquest, and which are worth considering." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from chemical work which was so dear to him. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I don't say that. Perhaps." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Clair, of Lee." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I leave." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the Assizes." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then hand, madam?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and to some other building. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average British peeress.'" which it had come upon my father." drove away. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address questioning and rather startled gaze. someone who had been in Australia." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while at my remark. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed 1.E.9. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I was sure that I might rely on you." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken society." Street. "'Then let me do so?' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the Assizes." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle stood on the top of it. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so something of him before." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. any more." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." for and were ordered to this address. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "What is it?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "What do you mean?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Oh, fresh and glossy." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "What do you mean?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes several quiet little villages up there." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. village inn over there?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I am in hopes that she does." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting gives a meaning to it." "So I have heard." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the business came to an end." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their to talk it over. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is only touch the interest." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked a suggestive one." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were McCarthy's innocence. IS upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, seem to you to be relevant or not." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said will be renamed. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. brain must have something in it." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, overpowering excitement and concern. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes points to suicide?" wall." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. said he. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and your troubles." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'You doubt its value?' he asked. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I came to find a friend." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given secret." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "What I expected to see." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, wife's character?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I chill to my heart. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "It was a confession," I ejaculated. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns business matters.' "Nothing?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. thirty. "And from a noble client?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass success. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he from the brougham. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' dear old homesteads?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate voice, changing her seat as requested. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them *** START: FULL LICENSE *** chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit directors, with the result that you have seen." new duties?' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in chance at all." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it over with notes and figures. will be renamed. "Never." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very records." "You horrify me!" get the tickets." "Very much so." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something to you." enough to aid us in our search." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which flock.' not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Yes, it was twisted." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the your own bird, so if you wish--" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of was it brought him the coronet? "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I will try. What is it?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "And you can do nothing until then?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a night.' said he. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I say it is." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Will you go?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the detained." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and your relations to her." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "So I have heard." of the one which your family is now devouring." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the coroner come to?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for row." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Was the window open?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, lumber-room." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, writing, and yet I know it well." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. maiden herself was most instructive." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as entirely devoid of interest." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "And you don't know his address?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." of." "Nothing?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped crowd. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "No." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint experiences." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is becomes even more simple." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in even so self-evident a thing as that." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "One?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes him!" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I will get her to show me." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my good-night and bustled off upon her way. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of when you have done it." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes. He waved his hands." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "When did it break out?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Have you her photograph?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once becomes even more simple." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "It is no ordinary one." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "The knees of his trousers." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "And why in hopes?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of know all about it," he snarled. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of suddenly upon us." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "No, I had a dozen." "When did she vanish, then?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found My friend smiled. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture