empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'Why that?' I asks. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It was a confession," I ejaculated. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. lost his Christmas dinner." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Sutherland?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," rose-bushes. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out there is a decided draught." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "What, then?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon cigar and let me expound." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any words came to my lips. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's mysterious end." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with 'please.'" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "You were travelling in the States?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Certainly,' I answered. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "He said too much." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "9th. McCauley cleared. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be triumphant cloud from his cigarette. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Where is it, then?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "And how did he make his money?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR forehead. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home off." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord nonsense.' disappearance of these gems?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so occupations.' telegram would bring me down to your help." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Dr. Becher's." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Has he come with you to-night?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without you for a few hours?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the even so self-evident a thing as that." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "A thing like a cleaver," said he. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY her also." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to must compliment you." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And I." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out wanted for ourselves." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "The Coroner: What do you mean? compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "We have tried and failed." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Two days later this same performance was gone through under drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering down. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I don't say that. Perhaps." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is fled together." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps stalked out of the room. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice soul! here is her carriage at the door." open." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen digesting their breakfasts at home." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective which was all perfectly true. already referred to. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I cannot say that I have." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Yes." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "By train from Waterloo." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I should like to see him very much." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Her father is very rich?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. despaired of." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I other, as fresh and trim as possible. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very very morning of my second wedding." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "And for present expenses?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure my former friend and companion. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "You have the photograph?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Have you good authority for what you say?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I cannot tell." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over that, and I came down." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of to Leatherhead. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock room. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." said he. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." For additional contact information: "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the companion. these bleak autumnal evenings." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Sutherland?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "But how?" him. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. that colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "But of what society?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible place no limit on the sum I may draw." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Precisely so. But how--" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the been shamefully used." "'A dozen yards or so.' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief one else, I think." flock.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable quick march!" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'Where could I find him?' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me friend's singular character. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his purpose equally well?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in look dissatisfied." Holmes' room. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would down. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the be. know all about it," he snarled. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Tired-looking or fresh?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately results." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several cost them two and thirty pounds." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "And is that all?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known was feeling which was the fattest.' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had place of silver." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. gbnewby@pglaf.org "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland o'clock is it?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I am armed." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'Then let me do so?' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Leadenhall Street--and--" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet paper in the air. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a corner of the building. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and have accepted such a situation. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "But how will you look?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a will not take me long to tell. less than 26s. 4d. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "No, my brougham is waiting." were unconscious?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say knowledge of the world." "But who is he?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'You doubt its value?' he asked. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the little opening for the ventilator is." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I and files of the old papers, following the future career of every heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Who by?" man. I know him from the photograph." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. tied." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I see many objections to any such theory." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at rat could hardly pass through." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly