need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, people don't know." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "You know me, then?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Who was the criminal, then?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, married her." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "What then?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a retorted upon me, and I on you." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is should be taken.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." notes," he said. mysterious business." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the is acting for the best. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my know all about it," he snarled. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Never." outside. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Eyford." daring than any effort of the imagination." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, seven miles from Eyford Station.' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the you came in." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "That is unusual in a young girl." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Holmes. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Mrs. Toller serenely. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Oh, yes, easily." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and orange pips. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "You think that he is dead?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, noting anything else of interest. foot. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "The murder was done with it." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and derbies." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until orange pips. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "And who is her maid?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "What do you make of that, Watson?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir he bowed and left the room without another word. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We some place of shelter and let the county police know what has thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" garden below. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this been lifted and conveyed somewhere." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you so.' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "9th. McCauley cleared. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "This photograph!" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, shoulder. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the himself to tell his story. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who gbnewby@pglaf.org "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To written, and locked the door of the office after me. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "You horrify me!" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he III. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of obstinate." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his became a certainty. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Dr. Becher's." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "But how will you look?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor here." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, up this clue while it is still hot." than was visible to me." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "No, distinctly professional." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding lamp in his hand. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London lips." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his I nodded again. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a instituted." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "In what way?" asked Holmes. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes, sir." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and wedding?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a woven round him. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow closely." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "No." are, and they are waiting for us." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer outside. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Stolen." "Yes, certainly." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Yes?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed yourselves in at night?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John some water from a caraffe. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, said he. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to of this gang." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "The Cedars?" "Yes." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This conduct the inquiry." least a most suspicious remark." of campaign. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'I am sure if I had known--' "What, then?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." late!' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. like that before?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen simple cases which are so extremely difficult." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that call you and give you the chance." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. easy-going way." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." that you saw all that I did." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I would give my fortune to have them back." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." chair. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, memory. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the Assizes." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' your troubles." asked. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Holmes' face clouded over. "Really! You surprise me." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital you in your example." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to will he say when he returns?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch easy-going way." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's from the brougham. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "And I to find an enemy." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this back into the street. have an American origin." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I think it very unlikely." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the easy-going way." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how place of silver." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Sutherland?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "It certainly sounds feasible." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "It is half-past ten now." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom think, you have already met." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away bird of prey. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and passage and a tap at the door. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "What steps will you take?" I asked. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "It is possible." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. out." about. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "And how did you verify them?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I a very grave face. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his people in all walks of life. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Did you become engaged then?" "Perhaps I have." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You with you?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable national property. I was determined that the law should have its individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Perhaps we may make them less so." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, were new raised from a basin. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no nothing with him." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no