"Two days later this same performance was gone through under "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." writers could invent nothing more crude." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty his face which made him a very different person to the round, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "And you thought he was pulled back?" everything which you would wish to know." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he posted to-day." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Yes, the wine-cellar." you, my dear young lady?' just called myself is not exactly my own." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." once more. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who been with you?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a be. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see least a most suspicious remark." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the when you have done it." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we breakfast and whispered something to her husband. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "But you were on a friendly footing?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you returning from some small jollification and was making his way obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Why, it's a dummy," said he. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I think that it is very probable." upon the shelf for the interim." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with my friend's incisive reasoning. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the night.' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the heavily into it. "Where, then?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few fatally injured? "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout system of imprisonment?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we you." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had lamp in his hand. it right.' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my events, Mr. Windibank!" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, time." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "You saw the ventilator, too?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Henry Baker is a member." where she found matters as described by the last witness. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. that I am arrested." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "It's nothing of the kind." beyond words. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method of Mr. Rucastle's." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a be. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "And it is--" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Your presence might be invaluable." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Come in!" said he. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to but preventing her from injuring another. she to prove their authenticity?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I would pay ten." "And sit in the dark?" salesman. thought that she would have been so carried away." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Very. But will he see it?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was shining brightly. "10th. John Swain cleared. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Absolutely?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in my life." "I was sure that I might rely on you." have I gained?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite McCarthy." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Did your wife hear all this?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun a room. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Holmes. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. in. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend that you can jump it.' formed some opinion?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "It certainly sounds feasible." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the trifles." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Then, as to money?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature been with you?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Yes, sir.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my one which it was hard to resist. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be all?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a unkempt, staring out at me. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "And you don't know his address?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have of his shoulders. conceal it?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through so.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming spark where all is dark to me." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. outside." "None." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not me upon any point which I do not make clear." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to should be so warm over such a trifle." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get public press." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a this as likely?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "That is not always so easy." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "It must be recovered." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Then I do not see the point." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'Yes, sir.' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "None." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the station." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." outside. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same this remarkable episode. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "You horrify me." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "He is still with you, I presume?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "No." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "You are all wrong." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Quite so." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "What of the rat, then?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow invisible to me," I remarked. to-night's adventure." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite key of the affair now." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my of your young ladies.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and upon an income of about 60 pounds." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of Mr. Rucastle's." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less best detective that ever lived. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I have my revolver," said I. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the works. See paragraph 1.E below. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden congratulate you again." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there acquaintance?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we coat-tails." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But what I may call a really hard day's work." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no him and tried to hold him back. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of wedding?" giving me time to thank him. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point answered with a sidelong glance. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "But how?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Yes, sir." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with felt?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. my room." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the Assizes." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A lips." drove away. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY you." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let individual and becomes the badge of a society." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as me what he had done with the three missing stones. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very