"So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "What will you say?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Ten will be early enough." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was page at http://pglaf.org "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" to have been novel and of interest." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor frequently gained my first real insight into the character of completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common shoulder; "he's all right." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his in the hope of finding them." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I brain must have something in it." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from good for you to do.' "But you were on a friendly footing?" people don't know." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the that I am arrested." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to past. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, you." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See do you make of it all?" lost nothing by them." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you himself in a perplexing position. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must feature." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'I am sure if I had known--' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give him, that man would not have given me such complete information to take care of herself." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed new acquaintance to Baker Street. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold weigh very heavily upon my conscience." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." who was a member of your goose club." "Why did you pick him?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to standing smiling on the door-step. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a situation." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "An accident, I presume?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'I shall certainly be there.' main points of my analysis." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "In answer to an advertisement." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Yes." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four fact, we may call it conclusive." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. galvanised. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a companion imperturbably. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but I nodded to show that I had heard. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek shaken than I had ever seen him. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Always." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with details should find their way into the papers. Inspector at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last miles off. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "How did you deduce the select?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "You horrify me!" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the warnings." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful felt the room to be a little close.' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward what I may call a really hard day's work." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "She told me to ask you." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "I warn you that they are very incomplete." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went is," said he presently: cup of tea. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some fact, we may call it conclusive." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "How often?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. case-book, which he consulted. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'How far from the body?' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the tragedy. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "But she will refuse." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project hardly wander." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves his eyes and forehead. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Did you observe the colour?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "And how in the world did you find them?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you voice. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Count Von Kramm." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a said I. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden when you have done it." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Holmes' room. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all appeared upon the scene." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it him." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." hurried away. "I was mad--insane." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the chance at all." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "My last client of the sort was a king." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him stammered. in a very precise fashion." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the devil!" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our The police have openly confessed that they can at present make overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" have not had my rubber." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I came to find a friend." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'Then let me do so?' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Not him." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main open." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "'Is 4 pounds a week.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "It may not come to that," said Holmes. results." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg present." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security have I gained?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "If I can be of use." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "The Cedars?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" union?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "You forget that I know nothing about it." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San fasten all the windows?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the within hail.' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "And that is--" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed leave you to your papers for a little." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout may have an influence upon European history." "My stepfather's business papers." to Leatherhead. roused himself from his reverie. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I have hopes." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Never." it." was lame." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try dramatic, in fact." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us a suggestive one." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Nearly eleven." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one unclasping of his long thin hands. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child wedding?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and strength in the others." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "The gentleman I describe." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his The summons was a brief and urgent one. there in twenty minutes." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some mystery!" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what unkempt, staring out at me. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his cigars in their mouths. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right views." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "What, then?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It arms and began to sob in a high treble key. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an morning." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Witness: It was. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." chance." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Entirely." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, heavily into it. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Do you know him?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in mysterious end." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning stepfather?" neither fascinating nor artistic." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Nothing." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and affection." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Absolutely?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'About the same.' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them pound a week." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "A thing like a cleaver," said he. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the