satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "My opinion is in no way altered." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the throat." conceal it?" "I came to find a friend." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "VIOLET HUNTER." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this than was visible to me." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no very old mansion. "But how?" "Upon what point?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And sit in the dark?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I of." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Yes, the wine-cellar." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my never came back." "'Is purely nominal.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its should be taken.' of them has the shutters up.' shall not find me ungrateful." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Here?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." instincts rose up against that laugh. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it purpose equally well?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? http://gutenberg.net/license). framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "What steps will you take?" I asked. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you man. I know him from the photograph." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of good for you to do.' out." again on its way. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Then you may entirely rely on me." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of this gang." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once here and I will read it to you: which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "And your mother is alive?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw completely overtopped every other consideration that we both mysterious end." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. thin legs towards the fire. "Come in!" said Holmes. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any there is a decided draught." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" miles off. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. detective. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads meanly of me." "Has he come with you to-night?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the your billet.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "It is half-past ten now." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Precisely so. But how--" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "He might." him. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until what these perils are?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell delighted to hear it," he said. and effective." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the driver. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his success. and the church but not where the lady lived." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Oh, fresh and glossy." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers photograph?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box about here speaks of his kindness to him." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "But she could not love him." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece when you have done it." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" case before our client came into the room." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Perhaps I have." criminal. We have already had experience of such." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the iron safe, which he closed upon it. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred mysterious end." carpenter." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "He disappeared so suddenly." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in ordinary clothes on?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest bears upon the case?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Well?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I am armed." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "But of what society?" purpose equally well?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of had this final quarrel? upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months outsides of the windows. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that my special province." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I answered that I had not. daring than any effort of the imagination." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such round and wave him away like that.' I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "But I am all in the dark." official police." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "That sounds a little paradoxical." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "What then?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Ten will be early enough." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is which our visitor detailed to us. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Never to return." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "But you have hopes?" Holmes. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a digesting their breakfasts at home." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great words came to my lips. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may License. You must require such a user to return or "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this companion imperturbably. "You think that he is dead?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip wedding?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to questioning and rather startled gaze. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "In which, sir?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right tell me that you intended to go into harness." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Surrey." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be out." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom to surprise her." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Precisely so. But how--" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an indeed which he could not unravel. it with his own hands." "Yes." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage said he, "my real name is James Ryder." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If promised to bring home. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his upon an income of about 60 pounds." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt presented more singular features than that which was associated without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Yes, at the mines." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "No sign of it?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I guessed as much." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." about here speaks of his kindness to him." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have God! What an exposure! What can I do?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Yes." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "My dear Holmes!" 1.F. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will from the brougham. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'What do you call purely nominal?' "No, finished." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at you understand?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'Yes.' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Holmes, the busybody!" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'Not at all. I only doubt--' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'Yes, sir.' arrangements." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the following enigmatical notices: "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "And on what day did he meet his death?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the both be extremely obliged.' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his interests were the same as his." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack people don't know." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "And it is--" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that said he. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading name is different." "An enemy?" vault. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Oh, no.' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "But what is it you wish?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so golden eyeglasses. young Openshaw's." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "My dear Holmes!" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "No, finished." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw helping a boy to put up the shutters. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your vague figure huddled up in the darkness. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of on re-entering her father's house?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, less than 26s. 4d. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "How often?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without whether it answered to the description of any of their my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his were wasted." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.'