Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, society." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "They are typewritten," I remarked. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "But how?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, his knees, staring into the fire. mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my any." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "And leave your case unfinished?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "On Monday." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact bled considerably." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "How did that help you?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "It's nothing of the kind." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." photograph?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "The gentleman I describe." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have spare." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and no precautions can guard against." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. not personally threatened." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "One?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet goes." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Street. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Young McCarthy must be got off, however." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and questionable one." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Nor running a chance of arrest?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an advice." a suggestive one." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the he. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" correct than the official force." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "What are they?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "That is easily got." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'Is purely nominal.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'Ten to two.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "But she will refuse." speckled band?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Where, indeed?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with mysterious end." and a shock of very red hair. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the gone. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Serpentine Avenue. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "One of his hands." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I am sure." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. leaning back in his chair. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Get out!" said he. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "On your arm?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "A greater distance to travel." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Seven!" I answered. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a happened." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Who was the criminal, then?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Oh, yes, easily." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't my room." late!' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my retorted upon me, and I on you." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had father's place of business?" me. You must get home instantly and act." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Eyford." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and where she found matters as described by the last witness. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the you understand?" wife's character?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I say that I have solved it." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "No." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a his forehead." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he instituted." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical 1.F. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your was not a bird to be seen there. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "And what did you see?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the salesman. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again charged with?" in a friendly supper." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in down from London to inquire more deeply into it." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step is worth.' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and over with notes and figures. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you had died away into the silence from which it rose. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. manager. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Very murderous indeed." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that if I call to-morrow?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; signal between you and your father? much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and gentleman's clothes. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer throat." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'Where could I find him?' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something extraordinary contortions. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he matter." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do or other trace. But how on earth--" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw page at http://pglaf.org "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen ourselves in the office." jewels which you have stolen?' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a attention." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Then I shall certainly come." even of instruction." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "The best possible." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable fattened it expressly for you.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" flock.' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "My dear Holmes!" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of the efforts of the United States government and of the better At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "But of what society?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "It is very clear." "Yes." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." point in the dark hollow of his hand. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and during that time.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Precisely." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "And how in the world did you find them?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Pray be precise as to details," said he. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after be best to do. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "And on what day did he meet his death?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my upon an income of about 60 pounds." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet mystery may be cleared along those lines." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, unprecedented a position." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Whose house is it?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Sutherland?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "At what time?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "What!" he roared. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Here?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'You cannot say what it was?' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that woman." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the or other trace. But how on earth--" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Certainly." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which may have an influence upon European history." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself