the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private License. You must require such a user to return or through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first strong and stiff." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present highly," said Holmes. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, to change my dress. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come pity, because in other respects you would really have done very hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with page at http://pglaf.org again." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is his face. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of your young ladies.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "But how did you gain them?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but tightly behind him. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Why serious?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, locked. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Miss Holder?" upon the white wrist. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, it." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down who was a member of your goose club." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not which I could not give. He asked for Alice. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my again." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than about here speaks of his kindness to him." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "No?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, thin legs towards the fire. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms questioning and rather startled gaze. upon the sideboard." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips your Highness to the police-station?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a throat." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Certainly." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Mrs. Toller serenely. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after know what is wrong with it.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the coronet at all injured?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry name is different." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination comes from the middle window." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the you, my dear young lady?' disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "You have the photograph?" "Certainly, madam." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I you?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of friends, not even his own brother. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Not him." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of this gang." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief His smile broadened. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I questionable one." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "What can it mean?" I gasped. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the his huge brown hands. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. disappearance of the bride.'" and the whole place is in a blaze." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which following enigmatical notices: His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so some city in a dream. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before not come at once?" "To the police?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "That is easily got." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was again on its way. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I empty. "Eh? What was that?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And how did you find out?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon impression behind it as though a window had gently closed his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called mystery may be cleared along those lines." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left too. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "What have you to say now?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at meanly of me." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never status with the IRS. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and salesman. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is opportunities to fix the problem. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project here and I will read it to you: "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I promise," said Holmes. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon ran thus: "His face fell immediately. fat-encircled eyes. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Yes, at the mines." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Then the page we have seen--" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced figure." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the developed." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Yes, he did." matter over." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own them, and came down just as you departed. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge fat-encircled eyes. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing already been minutely examined." "Not social, then?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Holmes, the busybody!" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of jewels which you have stolen?' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Yes, sir." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest outbreak?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'And what are they worth?' I asked. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the unprofitable." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Were they all fastened this morning?" "He said that you could solve anything." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his photograph a cabinet?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge photograph?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that you saw all that I did." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "But how will you look?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of tapping his fingers upon the table. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation weigh very heavily upon my conscience." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'Stolen!' he cried. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible down from London to inquire more deeply into it." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" room. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to power." "And I." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in weary and pale-looking. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The papers diligently of late, have you not?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," stalked out of the room. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we dead, shall be safe with us." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon with frightened eyes at his accuser. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond she to prove their authenticity?" bachelor.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, cigar and let me expound." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, could gather together that I was able to avert another public this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front his cane at the bell-pull. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a side. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, who was a member of your goose club." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could McCarthy's innocence. "On Monday." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were works. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he nights." "Yes, but only for you and me." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography could go. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient matter." conclusions. lamp in his hand. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the taking in every detail of the apartment. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Stolen, then." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is said he. "You will not go there first?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You think that he is dead?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I am all attention, madam." outbreak?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with yourselves in at night?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is shaken than I had ever seen him. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Really! You surprise me." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "And for present expenses?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been daring than any effort of the imagination." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Was your sister dressed?" eat it." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or