street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other client, rising. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Then I shall certainly come." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. look dissatisfied." you came in." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold where she found matters as described by the last witness. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met from the brougham. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm since then to throw any light upon what became of him." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes. He waved his hands." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's tear off another piece?' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and put his glass in his pocket. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, row." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him several quiet little villages up there." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," promised to bring home. "My opinion is in no way altered." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy business came to an end." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the visitors." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own rooms." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. this as likely?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady whole matter to your consideration." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is night.' said he. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to second." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish yourselves in at night?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I formed some opinion?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that infinite languor in his face. "I have seen the police." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent is," said he presently: relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "What! a murderous attack?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Clair, of Lee." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man memory. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Entirely." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of handed it to him. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, charge against him will break down." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which said he at last. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not depend upon my doing so.' "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been cup of tea. "How do you know, then?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "What, then, did Peterson do?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "It is solved." hand, madam?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as writing, and yet I know it well." bled considerably." "'Oh, no.' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in him." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true http://gutenberg.net/license). address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Yes, he did." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when girl said." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Stolen, then." "Never." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, business." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, is a common subject for conversation. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the business." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the child." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of foot. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Not I." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Then I do not see the point." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to anything to do with the matter?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Heh?' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that bill, which interests me deeply." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Tired-looking or fresh?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the side-table." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Was he the only applicant?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the 1.E.9. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his was it brought him the coronet? your most interesting statement." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The important." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless coroner's jury." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six highroad, where all traces were lost. "Eh? What was that?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told a very grave face. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs me have 200 pounds?' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended States. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'Why that?' I asks. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several but preventing her from injuring another. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted photograph a cabinet?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We me upon any point which I do not make clear." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. beyond words. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "No bad?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "And what then?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Was he the only applicant?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at tear off another piece?' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Precisely." "Yes." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I was afraid that you were engaged." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a strong and stiff." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the beyond words. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from threw himself down with his face to the pillow. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence village inn over there?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of the way of danger. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Where to?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it come either from the window or the door. My attention was clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his once more. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland are, and they are waiting for us." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may straighten it?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "You know me, then?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" you came in." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Yes, it would be as well." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Holmes' thin, eager face. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When you in yours." "I will do it." or in danger--" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Not social, then?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Does that suggest anything?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady key turn in the lock." "I cannot imagine." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of strode off upon his way. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by goes." fashion which was peculiar to him. "They are typewritten," I remarked. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Nothing." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our call the police, let the police find what they can.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself jewels which you have stolen?' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "And leave your case unfinished?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down on in his house." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning detained." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among ordinary clothes on?" desk. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to go into your room and bar your shutters?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret papers must be those that are destroyed.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" think that he is innocent?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name congenial hunt. desk. "Yes." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to talk it over. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. always that they were such commands as a lady might with loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." so far?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "But the mystery?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what your own bird, so if you wish--" "'As governess?' together. Edgeware Road. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "What have you done?" asked Holmes. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. His name is Francis Prosper." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Well, it is a possible supposition." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if gbnewby@pglaf.org signal between you and your father? and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and introspective fashion. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought this truth that in these little records of our cases which you heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' if only as a check to my own memory." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in