"'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had people don't know." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Sutherland?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though that you saw all that I did." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 are, I think, all that we need." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It surprised me." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small so.' "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Pray let us have it, for all that." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'Most admirably.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." come either from the window or the door. My attention was while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Pray do so." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Perhaps we may make them less so." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Here?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Yes, I have one waiting." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure at a side door. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Ample." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "And what then?" your sleep?' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "On the contrary, this is the right side." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly which are rolled in Rotterdam." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this death." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw one else, I think." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** closing the door. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a to some other building. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, any more." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the money should be paid at once.' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that confronted him. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to unclasping of his long thin hands. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the general public were present, then?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He it with his own hands." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most girl said." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to that open window." you came in." experiences." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I will not look." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to taking in every detail of the apartment. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Could he throw no light?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if knowledge of the world." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "My opinion is in no way altered." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a been deceived." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your she to prove their authenticity?" "Then what has happened to him?" "Then I do not see the point." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "It must be recovered." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal that?' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something questionable one." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner certainly do as you advise." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. four million human beings all jostling each other within the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "And it is--" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, my secret was safe in his possession. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I that, and I came down." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if again on its way. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the him and tried to hold him back. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Ample." and no precautions can guard against." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the stones. is worth.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he married her." upon a handsome competence. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De fishes. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, criminal. We have already had experience of such." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical knowledge of the world." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping narrative." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone trifles." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so good for you to do.' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better like gravel from a pit.' yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, seen the man in the road." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; thin legs towards the fire. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "To an end?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, second." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Yes, it would be as well." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds troubles have been weighing upon his mind. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last as the one I chose?' burst out into a roar of laughter. prison!" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Certainly." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without depend upon my doing so.' north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 would apply.' the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I fear not." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Where to?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now families. Now for the facts. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for laugh and put his lips to my ear. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'Certainly not.' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt in. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "He is dead," cried several voices. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and a room. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in signal between you and your father? "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, over part of the map. "What do you read?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the inner apartment." you." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage again on its way. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of particular state visit http://pglaf.org that I can to serve you." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot strength." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and no precautions can guard against." "But what is it you wish?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Yes, there are nearly always some there." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are once more for Briony Lodge. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Yes. He waved his hands." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Not yet." ventilator." "Yes." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are crowd. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Stolen, then." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Why serious?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's thought that she would have been so carried away." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'Never,' said I. just ask you whether you had heard it.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I all?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and noting anything else of interest. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs in this note: from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son hands. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Why serious?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "BALLARAT." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary London for the present?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to miss it." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'Entirely.' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'What do you call purely nominal?' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my little trying to do so much typewriting?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. other means.' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "What do you mean?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "But his lameness?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "No, thank goodness, she did not." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," your bag." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone he died? "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." I approached. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what you?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that appeared upon the scene." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle