or other trace. But how on earth--" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his corner of the building. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea politicians who had been sent down from the North. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "But it has twice been burgled." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the man. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Holmes." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of emerged. lamp in his hand. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" into the room. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that results." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "The Cedars?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the stones. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "But his left-handedness." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. electronic works have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst hard-headed British jury." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the clang of the bell. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to should be taken.' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "To an end?" something of him before." "No, distinctly professional." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he thirty. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "No. What a strange idea!" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "You did not overhear what they said?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "No. What a strange idea!" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. child?' "'In my own bureau.' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have question. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some enter into my head. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in you for a few hours?" discontent upon his features. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would that, and I came down." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Sholtos." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I will, Miss Turner." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Thank you. And your address?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the electronic works "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still without success. At last the little money which I had saved began commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a child?' little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Yes." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been that?' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Could he throw no light?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for back into the street. "'Ten to two.' "An enemy?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I am sure." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them business at Coburg Square is serious." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at is worth.' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Thank you. Pray proceed." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all a few minutes he said that it would be all right. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told man. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is at a side door. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the room while you explain this matter?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box to-night." matter." Holmes. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I will try. What is it?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone night.' said he. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my IS it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to me. fear." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It missed him, then?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Did he not advertise?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing long narrative. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the stones. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Could he throw no light?" to that open window." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear footfalls from the street. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. that I may have something better before very many minutes are told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down head. So long, then!" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should just ask you whether you had heard it.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a October 9, 1890. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try tension within him. enough to aid us in our search." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into there has been an enclosure here!" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Heh?' to-morrow." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that was a perfect sample of the class. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its this man was intellectual?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first of them has the shutters up.' "Whose house is it?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "How do you know, then?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Entirely." chance at all." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to whatever might befall. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that to-night?' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent call you and give you the chance." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was what I may call a really hard day's work." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, you in yours." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to heavy and sharp instrument." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Holmes." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Certainly,' I answered. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. arrested. You then--" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to carpenter." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room miles off. without a word or a look. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I late." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door room. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side I. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'As governess?' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the matter?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some long narrative. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his on re-entering her father's house?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in companion imperturbably. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to you." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than light and attacked it." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the what these perils are?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see murdered man." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "You did not overhear what they said?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left newspaper selections." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Your French gold?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "It certainly sounds feasible." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Does that suggest anything?" gbnewby@pglaf.org be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I would pay ten." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in client, rising. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling bird of prey. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Why that?' I asks. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." prepare for the new role I have to play." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. thin legs towards the fire. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I secret." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "But we can't all be." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I that you saw all that I did." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell which I could not give. He asked for Alice. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern meant." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one over with notes and figures. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Tired-looking or fresh?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon round with crates and massive boxes. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the King without delay." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he pound a week." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "What have you to say now?" an introduction to him?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "And now?" I asked. writing, and yet I know it well." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Is purely nominal.' was a perfect sample of the class. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were