to me. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Yes, that is the Crown." "When did she vanish, then?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for skylight. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this begin with, and I had not got mine yet." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a examine." 1.E.9. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately of the way of danger. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned with you?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, your Highness to the police-station?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you him, that man would not have given me such complete information almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that of Mr. Rucastle's." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I should like to see him very much." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "On Monday." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside an introduction to him?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and wait." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "The King of Scandinavia." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those than to us. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he entirely devoid of interest." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "What, then, did Peterson do?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate call for protection in the marriage market, for the present wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "But his lameness?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable careless servant girl?" jewels which you have stolen?' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped been lifted and conveyed somewhere." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, tension within him. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Yes." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one this as likely?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon gentleman's clothes. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet meant it for the best. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. electronic works villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were even of instruction." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Is he quiet?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. father's young wife. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'It is locked up,' I answered. weapon." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" hard-headed British jury." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the investigation." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in what I may call a really hard day's work." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" it. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Doctor, of the paper and the date." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "My dear Holmes!" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'Yes, sir.' after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I introspective fashion. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting it." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Yes, all." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than gives a meaning to it." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for out of this horrible affair." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the best of training." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad to change my dress. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "What will you say?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "No." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, whereabouts. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter cigars in their mouths. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I shall be delighted." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Very murderous indeed." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "And from a noble client?" shall not find me ungrateful." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles green of the new foliage. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' discontent upon his features. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. ran thus: the one as in the other." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "And your mother is alive?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an that, and I came down." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who hour?' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "What will you say?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in I am not easy in my mind about them." "But it has twice been burgled." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to-night." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had points in connection with it which never have been, and probably already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to him to go away.' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of was a perfect sample of the class. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and upon the shelf for the interim." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I think that it is very probable." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master existence." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Sholtos." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "It is a murder, then?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. you in your example." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "But what is it you wish?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and fear." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he his forehead." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed to me. over with notes and figures. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "My own seal." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my hard-headed British jury." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Only as much as we can deduce." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a throat." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "His face fell immediately. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The anything to do with the matter?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I don't say that. Perhaps." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. walking." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Yes, only one." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom yards of it?' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided noble correspondent could be. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Yes, that is the Crown." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Where to?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will himself to hunt down. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come in the port of London." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was an introduction to him?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the running down." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the empty. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in outbreak?" get the tickets." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was all-comprehensive glances. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "What office?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the warnings." "I say that I have solved it." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "And how did he make his money?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which tail." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Only as much as we can deduce." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "What, then?" has little to do with my story." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no clanging. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort