good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" in him." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Well, but China?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. least a most suspicious remark." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is astonishment. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent noting anything else of interest. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Who by?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My whatever might befall. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, tightly behind him. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far touch that coronet?' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the secret." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." McCarthy's innocence. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could know that the truth is known." status with the IRS. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "No, I had a dozen." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "And Irene Adler?" father's young wife. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I have it here in my museum." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your be. in one or two places in England?' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Dr. Becher's." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the warnings." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my works. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Did you become engaged then?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "But he might be a bachelor." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very go--none." Leadenhall Street--and--" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time questioning and rather startled gaze. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three back alive. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'Is 4 pounds a week.' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'Never,' said I. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" delirious. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice would apply.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I your most interesting statement." "I will do it." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, extraordinary contortions. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "But how will you look?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Certainly." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The strength of mind to control. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a look upon these things in a different way." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Then I can wait in the next room." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite locked. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the coronet in his hand?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Yes." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Of what day?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons compunction about shooting them down." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "How on earth--" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Proceed, then." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the salesman. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his The note was undated, and without either signature or address. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'I have heard so.' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the despaired of." his grey eyes. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, comes from the middle window." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a in darkness. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Certainly." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point sentimental considerations in the background which would induce letters?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "What!" he roared. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" you." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser light and attacked it." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Come in!" said Holmes. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Yes." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little him!" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I answered that I had not. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I into the room. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these you?' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not affair. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said back alive. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in shall use the carriage to-night." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." used to be." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This weigh very heavily upon my conscience." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "And it is--" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met said he. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, went to the Alpha were town bred." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten congratulate you again." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "We were both in the photograph." 1.F. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "How did you trace it, then?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said stammered. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain was it brought him the coronet? "'Never,' said I. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all served to weaken the effect. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'Ten to two.' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me it. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest again." to talk it over. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a about here speaks of his kindness to him." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would went to the Alpha were town bred." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the Friday. Was it to be in church?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. business matters.' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Which are?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less following enigmatical notices: table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most assist you in forming an opinion." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by carried out of court." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of fine shops and stately business premises that they really shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' that he has suffered." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of shaken than I had ever seen him. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much your equipment. "BALLARAT." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning least a fellow-countryman. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "But you can know nothing of this?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, key of the affair now." strong and stiff." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the ran thus: horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "What will you say?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is were new raised from a basin. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. empty. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "And I to find an enemy." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, them?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a criminal. We have already had experience of such." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they towards the blaze. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "A call for help, you thought?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "By no means." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "None. Neville wrote those words." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "You'll never persuade me to believe that." interests were the same as his." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a not come at once?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Yes, that is the Crown." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "What will you say?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "An accident, I presume?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is possible that we could bring him back to her? he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "My Mary? Impossible!" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the address that was given us in the advertisement. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low round with crates and massive boxes. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of your young ladies.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which straighten it?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is late!' "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'Certainly not. But why?' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. how narrow had been my escape. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an from you?" bonnet, and went out." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Have you it here?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable giving me time to thank him. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be will find little credit to be gained out of this case." affair. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed http://www.gutenberg.net "I will, Miss Turner." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, it right.' "My stepfather's business papers." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing present." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I shall be delighted." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone use an arc-and-compass breastpin." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Chief Executive and Director you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of