way: 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long man. I know him from the photograph." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. client, rising. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I should like to see him very much." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "By all means." eat it." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "It surprised me." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the stable lane now." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its o'clock is it?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had business in the City. She little knew what. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness should be so warm over such a trifle." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and all of them with the keenest interest. "Yes, I have one waiting." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "By train from Waterloo." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Ample." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" to his chemical studies. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Leadenhall Street--and--" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with his face which made him a very different person to the round, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. go--none." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Absolutely?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the neither fascinating nor artistic." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately enter Dr. Roylott's room." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the bottom.' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a 'please.'" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." chambers. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the waste of energy." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: some city in a dream. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she pierced for earrings?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Perfectly so." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "And for present expenses?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "May I see it?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it cheerful." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. locked. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I will do it." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from nice household for a young lady." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking bonnet, and went out." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over dramatic, in fact." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he tell him that I know him to be innocent." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Yes." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the had picked up in the wood. strode off upon his way. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter through." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And the murderer?" of receipt of the work. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her The events in question occurred in the early days of my "The gentleman I describe." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I do." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you nonsense.' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the warnings." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by maiden herself was most instructive." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I cannot imagine." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you is four-and-twenty." not fit the lock." husband's writing, madam." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I am following you closely," I answered. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With details." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and most interesting one." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the was keenly on my guard against him. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left works. See paragraph 1.E below. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Come in!" said Holmes. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Where, then?" case-book, which he consulted. he bowed and left the room without another word. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" several quiet little villages up there." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I am to be neutral?" tied." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Yes." "'In my own bureau.' the bottom.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is will be renamed. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few The police have openly confessed that they can at present make inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, shall use the carriage to-night." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the child." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "And is that all?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at pound a week." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Of Friday, June 19th." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the outbreak?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "That is easily got." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Seven!" I answered. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the upon the white wrist. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came reach." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Perhaps we may make them less so." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he James Windibank. Voilà tout!" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at with the outside air!" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from excitement. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It is very clear." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided that he has suffered." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting leaning back in his chair. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and the church but not where the lady lived." man. I know him from the photograph." "What then?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "What office?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "What can you not understand?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his to talk it over. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence particular state visit http://pglaf.org light and attacked it." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Where did you address your letters, then?" "At the wedding breakfast." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he breakfast and whispered something to her husband. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Game for a morning drive?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was woman who has had her own way to make in the world. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "But what will you do?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Dirty?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "It was a confession," I ejaculated. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "So I am. Very much so." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "But how will you look?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I discontent upon his features. "Can I be of assistance?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project rat could hardly pass through." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." direction." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or call the police, let the police find what they can.' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn help us in this matter." companion quietly. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "How long did she speak to this Alice?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door are, I think, all that we need." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "So I have heard." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are footfalls from the street. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport records." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a sufficient punishment." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural My friend smiled. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was will not take me long to tell. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Heh?' the coronet in his hands?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "So I am. Very much so." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out rose-bushes. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To too. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did outside." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I don't believe it." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I have solved it." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by must compliment you." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. I nodded to show that I had heard. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "But the mystery?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the