had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she leave you to your papers for a little." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which grasp, he hurried from the room. "The knees of his trousers." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The and prosperity to your house. Good-night." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. detained." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such important." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the south-west, I see." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would sneer upon his pale face. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. recover the gem." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "No." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "What can you not understand?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You me have 200 pounds?' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with of this gang." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "No bad?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the some terrible trap for her." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "You horrify me." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "That sounds a little paradoxical." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand his wife has ceased to love him." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "That sounds a little paradoxical." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were my secret was safe in his possession. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "But she could not love him." "Yes, from Horsham." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With your sleep?' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." standing smiling on the door-step. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Texas, I think." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting his face which made him a very different person to the round, me." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Certainly, madam." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "No more words. Get out!" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in will be renamed. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "None." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now your most interesting statement." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which his wife has ceased to love him." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were you." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. seem to you to be relevant or not." some city in a dream. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not I approached. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or if only as a check to my own memory." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven conclusions. "What will you do, then?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their a suggestive one." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing there was no need for father to know." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. with the outside air!" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Chief Executive and Director squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Farm upon the left." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided again." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "You horrify me." was a lad." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." his grey eyes. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of second." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" shaken than I had ever seen him. "Was she in good spirits?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Who was the criminal, then?" the coronet at all injured?" was a lad." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should voice, changing her seat as requested. rooms." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Ten to two.' will not take me long to tell. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Edgeware Road. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. nothing of it?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the salesman. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands father's place of business?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and be best to do. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his to have been novel and of interest." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I would give my fortune to have them back." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as instincts rose up against that laugh. chance." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I shall most certainly do so." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by served to weaken the effect. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "But the mystery?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Yes." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to locked. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you husband's writing, madam." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and sound at heart." the nursery. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this returned to France?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "You don't mind breaking the law?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "It looks newer than the other things?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Quite so." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the joking. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the I took the paper from him and read as follows: glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. you do it in twenty minutes!' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Nothing?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the some city in a dream. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did amused." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a affection." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was suspect him." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. less than 26s. 4d. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a humiliation." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to his fortune, and I went back to pa. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Quite so." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Yes, certainly." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Yes." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "What office?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. his forehead." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Literary Archive Foundation "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works know all about it," he snarled. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked during the last few years, and there are many noble families to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I will try. What is it?" think that he is innocent?" "But she could not love him." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the purpose of examination. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived this unhappy family?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Yes, at the mines." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "None." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "How did that help you?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. of receipt of the work. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Indeed! Whose, then?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "A client, then?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his huge brown hands. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few entirely devoid of interest." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he stepfather?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "What! You do not mean bodies?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When upon the sideboard." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I think that it is very probable." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Breckinridge is his name." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out certainly do as you advise." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to that open window." been." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his even of instruction." with you alone." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of