points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "It is to him that this trophy belongs." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat breakfast?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." new acquaintance to Baker Street. I have it here in my museum." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "But I have heard all that you have heard." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and strength." what is your own theory as to what took place?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Nearly eleven." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Yes, but only for you and me." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had remarked. "But how?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The ceremony." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I cannot tell." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "On Monday." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her long narrative. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all bill, which interests me deeply." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy questionable one." of your young ladies.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "How are you getting on?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "He disappeared so suddenly." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you without success. At last the little money which I had saved began there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all thin legs towards the fire. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'I am sure that I do not know.' you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method province." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to you." "By no means." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such tightly behind him. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Yesterday." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so chance at all." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any ran thus: a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he other lovers by making love himself." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an had picked up in the wood. his cane at the bell-pull. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the if only as a check to my own memory." "ARAT," I read. "Not in the least." will he say when he returns?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the tension within him. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat http://gutenberg.net/license). slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. companion quietly. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I his cane at the bell-pull. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Quite sure, dad.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed hair?' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Deserted you?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I have hopes." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "It is a murder, then?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said will find little credit to be gained out of this case." morning." her also." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of there in twenty minutes." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with which it had come upon my father." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the general public were present, then?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "It must be recovered." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been of Fenchurch Street." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I plantation.' many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are success. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Henry Baker is a member." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You'll never persuade me to believe that." front of me. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Mrs. Toller serenely. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "But she could not love him." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to note?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the of it with the greatest attention. October 9, 1890. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "How did he come?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the next day. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from shall not find me ungrateful." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it would apply.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might delighted to hear it," he said. hurried by. directly by questioning you." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," see a sister of mine apply for." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked been anything against him. He had for years been known as a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." signal between you and your father? generous with you in money matters.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an II. "And from a noble client?" do.' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, His smile broadened. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. could go. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "And why?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast seven miles from Eyford Station.' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my imbecility!" he cried. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the tragedy. trifles." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be to his chemical studies. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." to tackle the facts." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little house for five minutes.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Holmes. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Yes, only one." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Again Holmes raved in the air. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." certainly do as you advise." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know second window is the one that I jumped from." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Ha! you find it so?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon shoulder. ourselves in the office." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which wedding?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "How about poison?" Holmes. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a companion. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything success. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, not fit the lock." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria or other trace. But how on earth--" tell him that I know him to be innocent." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I came to find a friend." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to became a certainty. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Of what day?" gbnewby@pglaf.org low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was shining brightly. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Quite so. She has her freedom." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the night.' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the train.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Very good.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at even of instruction." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Well, it is a possible supposition." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as there in twenty minutes." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not grasp, he hurried from the room. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Pray continue your narrative." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it lids now and glanced across at his visitor. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Indeed! Whose, then?" tension within him. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the one as in the other." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." it." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my there in twenty minutes." front of me. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from this poor creature." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "What is it?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I am still in the dark." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! matters immensely." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you my secret was safe in his possession.