sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest License. You must require such a user to return or quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, certainly not very gracious." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "To ruin me." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps distance from the station, and there we found the young lady black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, must be when I saw the door open.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, front of me. "I was mad--insane." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present important." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no investigation." allusion to a rat. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "A call for help, you thought?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut seven miles from Eyford Station.' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been gbnewby@pglaf.org been." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "What!" he roared. "You are all wrong." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I shall continue with my miserable story. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the politicians who had been sent down from the North. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Foundation matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Quite so. She has her freedom." with some details as to your case." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in bonnet, and went out." "No." thought that she would have been so carried away." "And from a noble client?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have if only as a check to my own memory." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. conclusions. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That her also." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure purpose of examination. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "But he might be a bachelor." "Why? What do you mean?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and looked back. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I on in his house." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I have a cab outside." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who signal between you and your father? a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "From his hat?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Lee, in the county of Kent." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself my former friend and companion. companion. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. where she found matters as described by the last witness. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Yes." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the loss of it. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a served to weaken the effect. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say because she had spent so short a time in this country that she photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for had no one to advise her at such a crisis." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Were they all fastened this morning?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a best detective that ever lived. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I papers diligently of late, have you not?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property good-night and bustled off upon her way. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our relation between them, and what the object of his repeated uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it nonsense.' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "That's no good." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the returning from some small jollification and was making his way certainly not very gracious." British peeress.'" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "But what will you do?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the King without delay." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Certainly." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." bonnet, and went out." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when cup of tea. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "And the murderer?" too. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. peculiar to him. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of were new raised from a basin. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and inquire as to the address." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the vault. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then photograph?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I skylight. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Certainly." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "It is half-past ten now." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Is he quiet?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "How often?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking The summons was a brief and urgent one. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "So I have heard." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "So I have heard." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. His name is Francis Prosper." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the despair." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her guilty one." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one you came in." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "One?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Precisely so. But how--" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I before, for it was considerably after midnight. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Nothing." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Where, indeed?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that burst out into a roar of laughter. young Openshaw's." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "It looks newer than the other things?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little papers must be those that are destroyed.' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and go back?" attention." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to wedding?" "That is it on the dressing-table." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this once more to my work. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Clair, of Lee." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and night.' said he. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the window, rose as we entered. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was you want, then?' "And the murderer?" from you?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." what I may call a really hard day's work." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have round with crates and massive boxes. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange lumber-room." you understand?" "I say it is." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'Yes.' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'I shall certainly be there.' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Well, some hundreds of times." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'Yes, sir.' 'please.'" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and how narrow had been my escape. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts habit of advancing money.' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble forbidden door. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little might have a private word with us. have one." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Holmes. "ARAT," I read. "Whose house is it?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "At half-wages, in fact." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "How many? I don't know." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You are hungry," I remarked. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so salesman. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. redistribution. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. fatally injured? horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in gives a meaning to it." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five society." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall horse could go." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "He is still with you, I presume?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to