secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card a monotonous occupation." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. him to go away.' I held the little printed slip to the light. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him without success. At last the little money which I had saved began completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your subject to the trademark license, especially commercial were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "No bad?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. where we are going." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I am in hopes that she does." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to lips." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "One of his hands." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, them present such singular features as the strange train of heavily into it. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "You were travelling in the States?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Upon what point?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the if only as a check to my own memory." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she round and wave him away like that.' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should green of the new foliage. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but guilty parties." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of nonsense.' waste of energy." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made believe that I should never have any practice at all. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Yes, certainly." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into fact, we may call it conclusive." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his views." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "But you were on a friendly footing?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our nonsense.' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this crackling voice. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I cannot tell." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." weighed down with some great anxiety. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Then the page we have seen--" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing must be when I saw the door open.' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'You doubt its value?' he asked. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have floor. "You have the photograph?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "What then?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, made his money." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I cannot imagine." vault. Miss Holder?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "She walked into the breakfast-room." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk direction." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets you." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." other means.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful amused." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I think it very unlikely." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "So I have heard." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." lips." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Miss Holder?" trifles." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "My photograph." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "But he might be a bachelor." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "And you thought he was pulled back?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "But he might be a bachelor." certainly not very gracious." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Serpentine Avenue. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the cigars in their mouths. you understand?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "And what did you learn from him?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." His smile broadened. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in at home. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying bed dies. Does not that strike you?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Yes." here and I will read it to you: Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back ventilator." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. congratulate you again." "Then I can wait in the next room." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the good for you to do.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Sholtos." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door could not have written that. It is the German who is so "But she will refuse." strength of mind to control. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better place of silver." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. so far?" the stones. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the she to prove their authenticity?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to already referred to. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Entirely." not within a twentieth part of the market price." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Project Gutenberg-tm works. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the was used.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'Oh, no.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "In which, sir?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might that you saw all that I did." to miss it." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'And what are they worth?' I asked. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the I have it here in my museum." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before his grey eyes. the dangers which encompass me." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' about. "Oh, fresh and glossy." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Pray do so." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your coroner's jury." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "How can you tell that?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he one of the states of the Union." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Stoke Moran?" said he. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "It certainly sounds feasible." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a society." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "You have carte blanche." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Could he throw no light?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." been shamefully used." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I was mad--insane." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Yes?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I take the flies, but not before." it with his own hands." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in which was all perfectly true. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I for its centre. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Her father is very rich?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Pray do so." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to go into your room and bar your shutters?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks wife's character?" round with crates and massive boxes. tear off another piece?' woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "What, then?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the indeed which he could not unravel. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. bill, which interests me deeply." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Eh? What was that?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. to his chemical studies. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The details should find their way into the papers. Inspector rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs.