are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of child?' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "And why in hopes?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever pictures, libraries, or plate. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable that?' "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices that I may have something better before very many minutes are "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, strength in the others." indiscretion." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to tackle the facts." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern possible that we could bring him back to her? said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Yes, it was gone.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." arrested. You then--" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Yes, sir." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "How are you getting on?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I was afraid that you were engaged." sparkled upon his finger. me upon any point which I do not make clear." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who public press." time." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which too. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to affect your life." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? wife's character?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "How long did she speak to this Alice?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would in a friendly supper." least a most suspicious remark." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to these bleak autumnal evenings." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when troubles have been weighing upon his mind. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Sholtos." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'No, I know no one in these parts.' October 9, 1890. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this cigar and let me expound." "Just look it up, then." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. man. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "If so, much may have happened between." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Eyford at 11:15.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door yards of it?' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" your bag." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our face and glided from the room. "Then the page we have seen--" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each in my life." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "9th. McCauley cleared. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Yes, only one." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first You can understand that this register and diary may implicate her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and question," said Holmes, smiling. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Which are?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's placed his cuttings. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, neither fascinating nor artistic." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your four million human beings all jostling each other within the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "And Irene Adler?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough south, for the country is more deserted there." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "My dear Holmes!" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Chief Executive and Director Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'A dozen yards or so.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "He might." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. your troubles." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "How long did she speak to this Alice?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with writer." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Certainly." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Married! When?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Pray be precise as to details," said he. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by McCarthy's innocence. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" business at Coburg Square is serious." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic records." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" will be renamed. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm heavy and sharp instrument." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far which are rolled in Rotterdam." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and inquire as to the address." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Pope's Court. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "And help." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who showing my impatience. "You did not overhear what they said?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which http://gutenberg.net/license). like that before?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "You have the photograph?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we wedding?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came copied or distributed: afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving other lovers by making love himself." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, of his shoulders. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Holmes' face clouded over. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "He might." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was this as likely?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. them?" for securing the situation." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing other lovers by making love himself." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small villagers almost as much as their master. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who that?' bonnet, and went out." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw three fields round his house, and there he would take his galvanised. "And how have you succeeded?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He exactly what you advise." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It missed him, then?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will to-night?" I asked. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered delirious. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and future lives." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a definite end. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "They are typewritten," I remarked. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you round with crates and massive boxes. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "You know me, then?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of your young ladies.' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I beg pardon." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "She told me to ask you." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Yes." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward comes from the middle window." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "They are typewritten," I remarked. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." his forehead." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to least a fellow-countryman. business in the City. She little knew what. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "We must have a cab." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Imitated." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is asked. "Oh, fresh and glossy." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this window when the police appeared." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the room while you explain this matter?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Mary, has deserted me." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the salesman. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even as the one I chose?' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth leave you to your papers for a little." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated our word." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the date of his supposed suicide." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the