call the police, let the police find what they can.' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Why, it's a dummy," said he. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes you." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the house with me." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up your troubles." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in unkempt, staring out at me. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. confronted him. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat one of the states of the Union." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure rose-bushes. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the child." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And how have you succeeded?" morning." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "He is dead," cried several voices. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and all of them with the keenest interest. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and the whole place is in a blaze." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call new duties?' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "But you can know nothing of this?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. client, rising. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Holmes. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" fat-encircled eyes. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Absolutely none." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Then I am your man." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all nothing of it?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. chambers. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he your billet.' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the so-precious time, but come!' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without him to be an active member of the medical profession." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea page at http://pglaf.org end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "He is still with you, I presume?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save His smile broadened. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "But your client--" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." pictures, libraries, or plate. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a a suggestive one." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "A confidential servant?" into the room. "I see many objections to any such theory." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went bird of prey. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my touch that coronet?' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the this unhappy family?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us you?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Arthur Conan Doyle such attractions and accomplishments?' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Yes." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I am about to be married." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My forebodings. note?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come returning from some small jollification and was making his way brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the station." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" started for the Temple to see my husband. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." have one." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother was a perfect sample of the class. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Yes." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the do you make of it all?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us public press." "He might." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Entirely." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who distance from the station, and there we found the young lady staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington cigars in their mouths. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the evidence," I remarked. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out open." I leave." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been returning from some small jollification and was making his way case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." very morning of my second wedding." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out for the market.' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and of campaign. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and put his glass in his pocket. heavy and sharp instrument." neither fascinating nor artistic." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "And who is her maid?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and have this put in the evening papers." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting works. See paragraph 1.E below. my special province." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang suddenly upon us." that threaten you." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Watson," he said cordially. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Where to?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "And you thought he was pulled back?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly suddenly upon us." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Entirely." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get gone. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what are windows in it, of course?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried retorted upon me, and I on you." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive photograph?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. of your young ladies.' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair chance." on in his house." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob children over to America with him, so that I found myself without disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is frequently gained my first real insight into the character of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. chance at all." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that was lame." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "What have you done?" asked Holmes. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Ample.' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the happened." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if which it had come upon my father." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over depend upon my doing so.' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." respectable self." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Do you go out much in society?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "And how did you verify them?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "That was it, sir." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "And now?" He raised his hand. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several that I am arrested." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Munro.' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary client, rising. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Holmes' room. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Does that suggest anything?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Then I do not see the point." one of the states of the Union." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some young Openshaw's." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It something of him before." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so there in twenty minutes." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "And how have you succeeded?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into father's young wife. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and inquire as to the address." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be words came to my lips. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." It may be so in this case, also." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, could gather together that I was able to avert another public "How are you getting on?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! official police." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "But the mystery?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The tear off another piece?' go back?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where delighted to hear it," he said. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I have come for advice." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of in one or two places in England?' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "My stepfather's business papers." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Perfectly so." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had once more for Briony Lodge. "And what did you learn from him?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'How far from the body?' chair. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "How are you getting on?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' what I may call a really hard day's work." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Upon what point?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I have seen the police." take the flies, but not before." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, crowd. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could up this clue while it is still hot." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there know what is wrong with it.' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that yards of it?' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural photograph?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John during that time.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm locked. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Yes." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg