trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence arrangements." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then out." "And is that all?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such key turn in the lock." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "How did he come?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "It is possible." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both been shamefully used." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "You have carte blanche." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who you." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is I held the little printed slip to the light. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Pray do so." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that 1.F. "And the cigar-holder?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and disappearance of the bride.'" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the stones. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "You will not go there first?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" empty. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'How far from the body?' maid will bring up your coffee." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "It was an hour's good drive." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "And that is--" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." enough to aid us in our search." depend upon your compliance." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with whether it answered to the description of any of their thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "It certainly sounds feasible." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "How did he come?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him address. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Serpentine Avenue. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in ago." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to a more successful conclusion." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I beg pardon." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Arthur Conan Doyle as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain must be when I saw the door open.' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, voice, changing her seat as requested. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "But what harm can there be in that?" and the whole place is in a blaze." good for you to do.' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Doctor, of the paper and the date." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, neither fascinating nor artistic." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which companion quietly. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Oh, the cause is excellent!" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of this man was intellectual?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over brought there to personate someone, and the real person is It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and purpose of examination. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such of note-paper. It read in this fashion: what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully generous with you in money matters.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an of receipt of the work. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America of Fenchurch Street." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Lestrade of Scotland Yard." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the society." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Well, but China?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with returning from some small jollification and was making his way pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "But we can't all be." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this where we are going." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The case-book, which he consulted. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Ten will be early enough." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow where Mr. Fordham shows you.' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "No." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Gutenberg-tm License. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I answered that I had not. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." such attractions and accomplishments?' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary may never be exposed to such a temptation." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and I held the little printed slip to the light. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "How can you tell that?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "What shall I do?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "But she could not love him." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Oh, fresh and glossy." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a with her." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I don't say that. Perhaps." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and said he. I think that I could be of assistance to you." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "But what is it you wish?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Then let me do so?' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and all of them with the keenest interest. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, sneer upon his pale face. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. quick march!" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I am following you closely," I answered. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "That was it, sir." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "You will not go there first?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "In what way?" asked Holmes. entirely lost his self-respect." What do you deduce from it?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a to have that photograph." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, McCarthy." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since were new raised from a basin. narrative." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, nights." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the about here speaks of his kindness to him." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and wait." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in fattened it expressly for you.' was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I have one." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." brain must have something in it." your own bird, so if you wish--" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ confronted him. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Really! You surprise me." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "And your father? Did you tell him?" not personally threatened." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "But you would not advise me to refuse?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between that I can to serve you." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the security.' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If works. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more one's self under obligations.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Yes?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it kind enough to tell me what I should do." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I cannot think." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the been able to understand it, in a very few words. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of horse could go." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential My friend smiled. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass approach us with offers to donate. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a it means?" guilty one." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. undoubtedly my uncle's." round with crates and massive boxes. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And how have you succeeded?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "To an English lawyer named Norton." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon then?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the acquaintance?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise think, you have already met." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "When did she vanish, then?" "I am still in the dark." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round politicians who had been sent down from the North. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be