of the vacancies.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to go into your room and bar your shutters?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Pray continue your narrative." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush quite distinctive." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'I shall certainly be there.' "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Where is it, then?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, answer." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'Very good.' "'You cannot say what it was?' "No, I had a dozen." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at soul! here is her carriage at the door." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who spare." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "We must have a cab." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless in this way: grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "My private note-paper." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our these bleak autumnal evenings." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open you give your casting vote to?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news existence." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Thank you. Pray proceed." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the a suggestive one." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. not come at once?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Sutherland. "'Most admirably.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Holmes, the busybody!" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "He said that you could solve anything." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to at my remark. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must minor matters until to-morrow." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Stolen." "My dear Holmes!" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Certainly, madam." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "She will not sell." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the iron safe, which he closed upon it. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Witness: Nothing definite. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of without a word or a look. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem gone. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and point in the dark hollow of his hand. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Upon what point?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of door?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Nothing?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'A dozen yards or so.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes few hundred pounds.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Texas, I think." questionable one." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which father's young wife. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this him nearly every evening." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Watson," he said cordially. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when face and glided from the room. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the fat-encircled eyes. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'Yes.' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to once more. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Yes." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then hand, madam?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. electronic works to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I do." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Yes, from Horsham." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." from you?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the roots. from the brougham. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "You saw the ventilator, too?" himself to hunt down. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us morning." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Well, but China?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his your sleep?' were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about to-night." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Frequently." "Seven!" I answered. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would lost nothing by them." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by bears upon the case?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Never." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up his face which made him a very different person to the round, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything quite distinctive." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and matter." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the is acting for the best. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I where she found matters as described by the last witness. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly cigar and let me expound." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" than was visible to me." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Certainly." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his death." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have from you?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and handed it to him. very old mansion. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the to a light-house. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the salesman. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I definite end. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'Quite sure, dad.' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Where did you address your letters, then?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'I am sure if I had known--' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." "How many? I don't know." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan ashen face. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me power." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange rooms." "I am still in the dark." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case secret." paper in the air. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the writers could invent nothing more crude." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he weigh very heavily upon my conscience." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "But what is it you wish?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the warnings." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his to that open window." floor. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Then I can wait in the next room." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in these bleak autumnal evenings." in this way: the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "The doctor?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a IS considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I entirely devoid of interest." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Yes, certainly." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal is," said he presently: it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, other, as fresh and trim as possible. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Foundation the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has I was concerned in it." think that any burglar could have done. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. in a friendly supper." "The doctor?" and have this put in the evening papers." of it with the greatest attention. "And when will you call?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as miles off. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" been deceived." "What! a murderous attack?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed