think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Has he come with you to-night?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a cup of tea. instituted." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most comes from the middle window." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening that you wished to speak to me?' "It is his hat." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "No." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the persecution?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither ordinary clothes on?" suddenly upon us." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Yes." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which at home. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other trying to your nerves." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And help." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an ago." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on hand, madam?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I cannot imagine." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Yes, sir." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." into the bag, and made for the door. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in humiliation." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." here and I will read it to you: "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of hour?' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the foresight and the moral retrogression?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder you." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Holmes." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I me." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hands. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Pray do so." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance him!" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet there were so many in the whole country as were brought together nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I cannot tell." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, matter." ago." "VIOLET HUNTER." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical you?' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Texas, I think." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the guilty one." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that that which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'What then?' I asked. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "At what time?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "But she could not love him." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." friends, not even his own brother. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Then what has happened to him?" I nodded again. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just chance." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as tension within him. happened." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." tell him that I know him to be innocent." some city in a dream. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Why, what do you mean?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first night.' said he. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are gone before you can get him to hospital." himself in a perplexing position. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I London for the present?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Yes." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of tear off another piece?' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "And your mother is alive?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties train.' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom started for the Temple to see my husband. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Have you it here?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Nearly eleven." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel said he. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Doctor, of the paper and the date." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet hair?' less than 26s. 4d. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and followed. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the roots. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he you in yours." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to second window is the one that I jumped from." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few written, and locked the door of the office after me. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, stammered. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly one of them." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the for the market.' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear sufficient punishment." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), there!' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time stood on the top of it. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You have a clue?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the address that was given us in the advertisement. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was right! Sit down and let us talk it over." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but situation." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' excitement. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Where did he live, then?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated new acquaintance to Baker Street. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." golden eyeglasses. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell is," said he presently: "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly instincts rose up against that laugh. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester tell them apart.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "None. Neville wrote those words." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "It is solved." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "She showed me, as I told you she would." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Was he the only applicant?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer have had none more fantastic than this." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Really! You surprise me." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "My stepfather's business papers." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window reach." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I say that I have solved it." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. gone. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that shall use the carriage to-night." highroad, where all traces were lost. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, you want, then?' pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in mystery." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son furiously. locked." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as papers must be those that are destroyed.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his thin legs towards the fire. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle awkward doing business with an alias." "What is it, then--a fire?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Then I can wait in the next room." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a guilty parties." "Where did he live, then?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the best of training." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "It is half-past ten now." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to believe that I should never have any practice at all. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Oh, fresh and glossy." them?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Whose house is it?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on is so. I know all about McCarthy." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the date of his supposed suicide." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor with you alone." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very I held the little printed slip to the light. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' door?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "My own seal." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his outside." "Will you go?" floor. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Not in the least." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Munro.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the