"No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Then how many are there?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all events than those which have happened in my own family." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones his wife has ceased to love him." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." address. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I cannot as yet see any connection." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "How can you tell that?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. delirious. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us man. I know him from the photograph." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I am following you closely," I answered. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. nothing with him." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings straighten it?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll said I. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and the church but not where the lady lived." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able events, Mr. Windibank!" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Eyford." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Farm upon the left." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At not come at once?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "How can you tell that?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the nothing of it?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and must compliment you." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then him to go away.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "It was an hour's good drive." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their be. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. that he will be back before evening." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." cause to be." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the to me. client, rising. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'Oh, no.' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in address. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "What will you say?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Arthur Conan Doyle "Perhaps we may make them less so." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this begun to whiten, even as mine has." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story approach us with offers to donate. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "You are hungry," I remarked. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in hard-headed British jury." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I cannot say that I have." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The hour." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I answered that I had not. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a signal between you and your father? "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my better in every way that they should make their position a little of your young ladies.' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS as yours." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will my friend's incisive reasoning. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about you in yours." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up handed it to him. and wait." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in opened the door, and slipped through. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon upon the shelf for the interim." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can she slowly sank and died without having recovered her chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the stable lane now." highroad, where all traces were lost. "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Is purely nominal.' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant one of them." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that papers must be those that are destroyed.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." morning." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious in one or two places in England?' will find little credit to be gained out of this case." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. forebodings. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for distance from the station, and there we found the young lady photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "You think so, too?" ourselves in the office." "None. Neville wrote those words." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Nothing." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "And sit in the dark?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "She told me to ask you." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Thank you. And your address?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "By no means." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for go from here to the Strand." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Was the window open?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the matter?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup into the bag, and made for the door. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." used to be." "Then I do not see the point." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "You forget that I know nothing about it." the house with me." nothing of it?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that bill, which interests me deeply." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Eyford." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery his face. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, to have that photograph." in the dead of the night?' "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless gentleman's clothes. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was them?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "But how?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Yes?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and During two years I have had three consultations and one small whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who and effective." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel wife's character?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could such person." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes everything which you would wish to know." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly quite distinctive." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Yes, but only for you and me." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." rose-bushes. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Why did you pick him?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Again Holmes raved in the air. coroner's jury." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "How on earth--" relief. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. companion. to have that photograph." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' tail." danger is over." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "No." think that he is innocent?" power." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Have you good authority for what you say?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Miss Holder?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master everything which you would wish to know." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And the cigar-holder?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His do.' "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the this unhappy family?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own call for it in person on Monday morning.' article?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "How can you tell that?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I his eyes and forehead. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And I." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you where she found matters as described by the last witness. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who