brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his something of him before." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that have established a very serious case against the son of the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid province." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered where we are going." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the opportunities to fix the problem. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them shoulder; "he's all right." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "A call for help, you thought?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all always that they were such commands as a lady might with which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were secret." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. nonsense.' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then cheerful." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes it." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "You forget that I know nothing about it." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "And how did he make his money?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for happened." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." photograph?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "You did not overhear what they said?" "Yes, only one." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which may never be exposed to such a temptation." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his other lovers by making love himself." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Yes." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "But it has twice been burgled." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, into the bag, and made for the door. row." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that individual and becomes the badge of a society." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I have seen the police." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else which I could not give. He asked for Alice. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a following enigmatical notices: The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "And who is her maid?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, footfalls from the street. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about less than 26s. 4d. "My dear Holmes!" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Of what day?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the brain must have something in it." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria matters immensely." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he fled together." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Frequently." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I in the hope of finding them." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever DAMAGE. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to you." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, taking in every detail of the apartment. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I should like to see him very much." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor could not account in any way for the presence of the missing unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little himself. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." fire. You quite follow me?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Of Friday, June 19th." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "No, finished." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "When did she vanish, then?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "But how?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. clang of the bell. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "But what harm can there be in that?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly prison!" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive address. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in outside." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We one's self under obligations.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my British peeress.'" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the salesman. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of them present such singular features as the strange train of that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have is," said he presently: redistribution. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Edgeware Road. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Where did you address your letters, then?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as I think that I could be of assistance to you." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Just look it up, then." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Where to?" very old mansion. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Very murderous indeed." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," at a side door. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the to have that photograph." "He disappeared so suddenly." me. You must get home instantly and act." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Not I." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'Quite sure, dad.' "It certainly sounds feasible." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But danger is over." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not fish-monger and a tide-waiter." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other bedroom door." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all lids now and glanced across at his visitor. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it companion. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her dead, shall be safe with us." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Of what day?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Not in a good cause." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another to where he stood hid behind the curtain. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have *** START: FULL LICENSE *** weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Yes." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of the way of danger. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Cross for the Continent." over here." empty. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what dead, shall be safe with us." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson o'clock is it?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "And now?" He raised his hand. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I assure you that I am in your hands." the date of his supposed suicide." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. your troubles." "That you are never beaten." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders danger is over." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and thought that she would have been so carried away." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "To an end?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On you." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I towards the blaze. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Very. But will he see it?" chambers. the ceiling. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I held up the lantern and gazed about him. the running down." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Street. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I easy-going way." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider constraint." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." one of the states of the Union." chemical work which was so dear to him. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, delirious. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now gbnewby@pglaf.org photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. with her." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the memory. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Stoke Moran?" said he. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be she to prove their authenticity?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were to some other building. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a character. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to to-night." "Oh, fresh and glossy." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an down. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at salesman. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "The Coroner: What do you mean? true." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've security.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "And that is--" "It is solved." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'There is a drive, then?' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "No. What a strange idea!" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He always that they were such commands as a lady might with himself in a perplexing position. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Why did you beat the pavement?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable swore that no one else had been in the front room during the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'In my own bureau.' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "It is true that I have been generally successful." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I guessed as much." fact, we may call it conclusive." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Leave Paddington by the 11:15." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" my friend's incisive reasoning. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the important." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It must be recovered." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll followed. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better telegram would bring me down to your help." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. tension within him. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by