money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Munro.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident depend upon your compliance." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign laugh and put his lips to my ear. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Entirely." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Eyford." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "My Mary? Impossible!" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some troubles have been weighing upon his mind. mysterious end." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Did your wife hear all this?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom chill to my heart. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so papers." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man matter." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, delirious. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Pray let us have it, for all that." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman name is different." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "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 bears upon the case?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." written. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "At the wedding breakfast." business came to an end." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of never will be, entirely cleared up. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It certainly sounds feasible." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs have accepted such a situation. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social his face. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced late!' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Where does the thing come from?' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all to miss it." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Is he quiet?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I say that I have solved it." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in is entirely a question of barometric pressure." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Nor running a chance of arrest?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the window, rose as we entered. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Holmes' thin, eager face. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which mystery." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'Where could I find him?' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the very letters. But what is this written above them?' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" not personally threatened." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken thirty. "You think that he is dead?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place DAMAGE. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "No sign of it?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this back into the street. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Yes." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Cross for the Continent." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the window, rose as we entered. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "And Miss Sutherland?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's open." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "You don't mind breaking the law?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his once more for Briony Lodge. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, as this. Pray let me have the details." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face imbecility!" he cried. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle prepare for the new role I have to play." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Then I can wait in the next room." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of Fenchurch Street." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, eavesdroppers?' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you is acting for the best. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the warnings." "Witness: It was. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was voice, changing her seat as requested. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I heavily into it. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Henry Baker is a member." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "What?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant papers must be those that are destroyed.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the dangers which encompass me." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the door?" "One?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the iron safe, which he closed upon it. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging very peculiar words of the dying woman?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature recover the gem." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City was the fact that his father should, according to his account, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "And the cigar-holder?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Then you may entirely rely on me." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "The Coroner: What do you mean? this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "What! a murderous attack?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Very much so." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I prepare for the new role I have to play." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "What do you make of that, Watson?" works. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses his face which made him a very different person to the round, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face distinguish the words: acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our whether it answered to the description of any of their as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was had a long day." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of eavesdroppers?' distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I don't say that. Perhaps." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." detained." guilty parties." and laid it on the table. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "And you don't know his address?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any too. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, it." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and that he would see to anything that turned up. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into new acquaintance to Baker Street. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove money should be paid at once.' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. corner of the building. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "It surprised me." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere whether it answered to the description of any of their "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." outbreak?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the other means.' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then undoubtedly my uncle's." sofa. This way, please!" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no undoubtedly my uncle's." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord returned to France?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now as noiselessly as she had come. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "His face fell immediately. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "One of his hands." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular voice. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Clair, of Lee." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure guilty parties." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I should be immensely obliged to you." Lee, in the county of Kent." ourselves in the office." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "But how?" not, dad?" she asked. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, breakfast?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the inner apartment." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'And what salary do you ask?' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main fasten all the windows?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "By train from Waterloo." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the British peeress.'" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Deserted you?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "And who is her maid?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to presented more singular features than that which was associated success. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband in the port of London." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled was a lad." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I presented more singular features than that which was associated "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of