dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before conduct the inquiry." quick march!" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make The events in question occurred in the early days of my with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his lips." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our away into the river." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" your billet.' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered hour." "I have a cab outside." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," was keenly on my guard against him. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," empty. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a here." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "But not more so than I to find you." were unconscious?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'I have already given you my word.' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the present." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, better grown goose." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the maid will bring up your coffee." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is I am not easy in my mind about them." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea again, where I was soon asleep. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a ceremony." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds long narrative. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager into the bag, and made for the door. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, hair?' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by will not take me long to tell. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door dramatic, in fact." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and envelope. "And how have you succeeded?" "One of the highest in England." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very empty. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may have one." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but suddenly upon us." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of a very grave face. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for article?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Was your sister dressed?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "That was it, sir." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." your Highness to the police-station?" the warnings." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings happened." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six chamber." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And is that all?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I say it is." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "On the contrary, this is the right side." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" returned to France?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "My stepfather's business papers." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was had this final quarrel? occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "What then?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "This photograph!" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of have I gained?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Then I can wait in the next room." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I cannot think." as he folded up the epistle. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the words came to my lips. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "'How far from the body?' forehead. "So it appears." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no in this way: have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Absolutely none." asked with his eyes open. "I have hopes." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "And that is--" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, felt?" showing my impatience. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. opened the door, and slipped through. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior eavesdroppers?' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "He is dead," cried several voices. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not was feeling which was the fattest.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. fait accompli?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Deserted you?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for easy-going way." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and prosperity to your house. Good-night." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "And I say east," said my patient. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw maid will bring up your coffee." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Pray tell us what has happened to you." might help us?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Dr. Gregory B. Newby which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Pray do so." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. assist you in forming an opinion." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more showing my impatience. key turn in the lock." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years IS and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Then I shall certainly come." IS How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Yes, but only for you and me." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk what do you think they found in the pockets?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had at home. "Thank you. Pray proceed." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and until night should bring an explanation. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Yes, sir." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a four million human beings all jostling each other within the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right call the police, let the police find what they can.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the voice. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." writer." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "You don't mind breaking the law?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering certainly not very gracious." believe that I should never have any practice at all. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project stood on the top of it. "It is half-past ten now." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the outside. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in was a lad." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Watson," he said cordially. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to locked. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the he bowed and left the room without another word. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I was mad--insane." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to arrive at through this?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp enter Dr. Roylott's room." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that overpowering excitement and concern. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable of a light. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our very morning of my second wedding." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very through." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek were wasted." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Does that suggest anything?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes appeared upon the scene." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and nights." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened maid will bring up your coffee." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the little opening for the ventilator is." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future