me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and been shamefully used." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "By train from Waterloo." "Stolen, then." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic fled together." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the indiscretion." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Yesterday." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Game for a morning drive?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can back to my heart. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "You will not go there first?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. outbreak?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "That is easily got." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. straighten it?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Perhaps we may make them less so." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. his knees, staring into the fire. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten at once, for I have only half an hour." leave you to your papers for a little." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I know where it is." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Yes, it was twisted." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. detective. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study too. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, conceal it?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "He disappeared so suddenly." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco weapon." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers because she had spent so short a time in this country that she danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Yes, only one." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, chair. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I answered that I had not. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or you?' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch gbnewby@pglaf.org "Then the page we have seen--" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." status with the IRS. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' one of them." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in main points of my analysis." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her your troubles." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I outside. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and mystery!" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow security.' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little would apply.' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "His face fell immediately. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's swore that no one else had been in the front room during the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to late." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while to some other building. bonnet, and went out." fluttered off among the others. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a What do you deduce from it?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with triumphant cloud from his cigarette. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of never will be, entirely cleared up. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'What, the red-headed man?' have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did electronic works We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Witness: It was. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As once more to my work. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Yes, all." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it there when the Rucastles went away." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope http://www.gutenberg.net the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Mary, has deserted me." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the his cane at the bell-pull. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "No, distinctly professional." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled You want to know what became of those geese?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, to-night?" I asked. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." late." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your ways including including checks, online payments and credit card a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present might help us?" friends, not even his own brother. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "If so, much may have happened between." the general public were present, then?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "What is it?" young Openshaw's." maiden herself was most instructive." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Very much so." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "What, then?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to surprise her." highroad, where all traces were lost. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I know where it is." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was cigar and let me expound." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so during that time.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the devil!" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the four million human beings all jostling each other within the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "It's nothing of the kind." beg that you will break it off." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I think it very unlikely." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." morning." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I promise," said Holmes. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Yes." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father foot. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "No more words. Get out!" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest have been better. It is all right." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on it." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, make me his representative both with the servants and with the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the place no limit on the sum I may draw." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his I shall communicate with you." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I cannot tell." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "But the mystery?" hands. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his John Swain, of St. Augustine. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "What I expected to see." but preventing her from injuring another. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets a monotonous occupation." trifles." married her." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." lamp. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "To an English lawyer named Norton." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the to talk it over. But Holmes shook his head gravely. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Well, but China?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her status with the IRS. which was all perfectly true. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones to have been novel and of interest." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have dramatic, in fact." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I have hopes." "'How far from the body?' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" to surprise her." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of advice." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the one as in the other." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his His smile broadened. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'You cannot say what it was?' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "But what harm can there be in that?" seen the man in the road." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his you give your casting vote to?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, more terrible than the truth. Holmes rather sternly. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "What do you make of that, Watson?" to tackle the facts." photograph a cabinet?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the generous with you in money matters.' is four-and-twenty." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the inner apartment." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his about here speaks of his kindness to him." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a your co-operation." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, that you saw all that I did." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I say it is." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by opportunities to fix the problem. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." mystery." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Yes." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'I shall certainly be there.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is me where it went to?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "The Cedars?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after along the entire front of the house, with three long windows feature." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I think it very unlikely." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "To ruin me." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Edgeware Road. tell them apart.' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched your co-operation." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, writing, and yet I know it well." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt he. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Here?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little strength in the others." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right examine." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's unclasping of his long thin hands. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence corner of the building. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "That is easily got." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we voice.