"Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Then you may be so with me." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now had no one to advise her at such a crisis." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very way in." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and matter." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence as he remarks, very much against the son." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman would apply.' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down recover the gem." such attractions and accomplishments?' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Farm upon the left." 11:15.' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon train.' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some results." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this you found me to-night--and running through the front room she breakfast." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving are, and they are waiting for us." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "And what then?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Never.' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. it were putty." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking that "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to had a long day." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" nice household for a young lady." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that union?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. McCarthy." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second events than those which have happened in my own family." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was child?' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "He is dead," cried several voices. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Yes, it was twisted." Holmes' thin, eager face. "And it is--" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and eat it." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" over with notes and figures. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you persecution?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush beyond words. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "There is the writing." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." standing smiling on the door-step. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa handed it to him. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Do you know him?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's of receipt of the work. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is had a long day." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "What!" he roared. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to telegram would bring me down to your help." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to me. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As anything to do with the matter?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Witness: It was. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the had died away into the silence from which it rose. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. did not hear it also.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes persecution?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door is now desirous of getting those letters back." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Come in!" said he. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "And who is her maid?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am go from here to the Strand." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, John Swain, of St. Augustine. ran thus: fear." astonishment. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the this unhappy family?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great will take you up to see the machine.' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban you." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "A greater distance to travel." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like that American. Then who could this American be, and why should he my secret was safe in his possession. how narrow had been my escape. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug to change my dress. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A highroad, where all traces were lost. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Where, indeed?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had papers." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his flock.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "And how?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but once more to my work. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my must compliment you." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "It surprised me." "Very much so." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and sake, don't!" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it thin, with a long, sharp nose?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. fattened it expressly for you.' which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I say that I have solved it." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought newspaper selections." in my life." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of plantation.' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "How many? I don't know." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "You did not overhear what they said?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had her also." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "But how?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden them, and came down just as you departed. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may disappearance of these gems?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies voice, changing her seat as requested. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the chambers. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "No." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "How did he come?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, posted to-day." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "And I." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it straightened it out again. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "And from a noble client?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Whose house is it?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just room had already been engaged for us. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for questioning and rather startled gaze. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger footfalls from the street. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before you in yours." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Project Gutenberg-tm works. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Here?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, brandy and water within his reach. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with tell me that you intended to go into harness." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Yes. He waved his hands." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her of fine shops and stately business premises that they really kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I will get her to show me." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "It is a murder, then?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come