congratulate you again." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "That is not always so easy." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his hardly wander." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at woman." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us for securing the situation." problems help me to do so." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was ourselves in the office." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious that I may have something better before very many minutes are child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" lost his Christmas dinner." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the helping a boy to put up the shutters. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "And Irene Adler?" for and were ordered to this address. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no conceal it?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter daring than any effort of the imagination." "But the mystery?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Could he throw no light?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one is now desirous of getting those letters back." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Sutherland. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his looking up at the numbers of the houses." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "No, but the enclosure is." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us where Mr. Fordham shows you.' matter over." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "That is also quite modern," said the lady. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Project Gutenberg-tm works. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "It missed him, then?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, advice." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I have a cab outside." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what very old mansion. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the warnings." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that http://gutenberg.net/license). later, upon the night of May 2nd." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, returned to France?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Holmes' room. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were roused himself from his reverie. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Ten will be early enough." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over think that any burglar could have done. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all simple cases which are so extremely difficult." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat a room. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns felt?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than returned to France?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Street. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the promised to bring home. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united annoyance, but no jest. "By train from Waterloo." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Nothing." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. You want to know what became of those geese?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where depend upon your compliance." do." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'Most admirably.' joking. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? gone. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Entirely." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to pictures, libraries, or plate. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." it means?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the strength in the others." "Quite so. She has her freedom." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we absolutely follow my advice in every respect." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if views." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Henry Baker is a member." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight be there in time for your coming." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power bled considerably." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "That is possible." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "You think that he is dead?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position could not have written that. It is the German who is so threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you His name is Francis Prosper." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his upon a handsome competence. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I guessed as much." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has writers could invent nothing more crude." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not himself. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a was already answered. sound at heart." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I don't say that. Perhaps." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because locked." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "What can it mean?" I gasped. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your very morning of my second wedding." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "In heaven's name, what for?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" III. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Not I." "Yes." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the matter." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an it." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a as noiselessly as she had come. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your business." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to that you saw all that I did." eat it." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Nothing." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at criminal. We have already had experience of such." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked events, Mr. Windibank!" of your young ladies.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter had formerly been in part my own. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a lamp. "Not I." something of him before." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "What of the rat, then?" "And why?" "And what did you learn from him?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with not use it unless it is absolutely needed." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Just look it up, then." drawing your inferences." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried it." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you and your relations to her." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' quickly through a disagreeable task. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle what is your own theory as to what took place?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "What then?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "The doctor?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Get out!" said he. discontent upon his features. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." lamp. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever client, rising. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "My last client of the sort was a king." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Eh? What was that?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Not social, then?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "And your father? Did you tell him?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything directors have had misgivings upon the subject." tear off another piece?' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. it means?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I shall most certainly do so." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" go from here to the Strand." "And your mother is alive?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and hopeless attempt at recovering them." there has been an enclosure here!" "But we can't all be." formed some opinion?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "How many? I don't know." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the King without delay." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have purpose equally well?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "That sounds a little paradoxical." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Foundation broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to arrive at through this?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Why, it's a dummy," said he. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had sentimental considerations in the background which would induce fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our seem to you to be relevant or not." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Then I am your man." you in your example." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else The King stared at him in amazement. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have very peculiar words of the dying woman?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point your only hope of safety." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every is now desirous of getting those letters back." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "It is his hat." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Is he quiet?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. to-night." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." went to the Alpha were town bred." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed fatally injured? open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "This concluded the examination of the witness." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat allusion to a rat. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet this unhappy family?" "Could he throw no light?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over intrusion of other matters." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Sholtos." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Yes, the wine-cellar." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Certainly." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and papers must be those that are destroyed.' wife's character?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, of the vacancies.' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "And how in the world did you find them?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive