end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "In which, sir?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'I am sure if I had known--' future lives." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment said he. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." acted in my house last night?" o'clock is it?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know prepare for the new role I have to play." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It looks newer than the other things?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Gutenberg-tm License. "My opinion is in no way altered." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. side. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Holmes' room. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet fasten all the windows?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as room had already been engaged for us. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical for securing the situation." me where it went to?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever taking in every detail of the apartment. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the morning and make my own way in the world.' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was problems help me to do so." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "And how in the world did you find them?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, always that they were such commands as a lady might with He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. been able to understand it, in a very few words. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I garden below. "One of his hands." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out himself to tell his story. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Thank you. Pray proceed." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of amused." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Could he throw no light?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. key turn in the lock." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." morning." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate directors, with the result that you have seen." I held the little printed slip to the light. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with generous with you in money matters.' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "My own seal." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the society." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and looked back. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and it need not interfere very much with one's other pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' points to suicide?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I see many objections to any such theory." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness works. See paragraph 1.E below. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, have had none more fantastic than this." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded weary and pale-looking. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' congratulate you again." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. upon the shelf for the interim." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in call it cruel." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become meant it for the best. there has been an enclosure here!" "'Where to?' your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as way in everything. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them how narrow had been my escape. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "The gentleman I describe." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Breckinridge is his name." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "That sounds a little paradoxical." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows strength of mind to control. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding where she found matters as described by the last witness. nice household for a young lady." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential tell me that you intended to go into harness." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on your own bird, so if you wish--" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the a monotonous occupation." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear matter over." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. tell me that you intended to go into harness." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Never." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second meanly of me." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. sparkled upon his finger. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after key turn in the lock." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, spare." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Really! You surprise me." until night should bring an explanation. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say it means?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left unprecedented a position." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out tension within him. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "To ruin me." for securing the situation." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," must compliment you." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. get the tickets." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he written. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "We must have a cab." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Can I be of assistance?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of hardly wander." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I should wish to." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, bled considerably." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Then he might have called to you?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the words came to my lips. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Of what day?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I cannot imagine." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Yes?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. your billet.' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' might have a private word with us. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "But what will you do?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he vault. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I have a cab outside." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that she slowly sank and died without having recovered her awkward doing business with an alias." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down from the brougham. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of through." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. to-night." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose footfalls from the street. to talk it over. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch in a friendly supper." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Nothing." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, than to us. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too populous neighbourhood." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the cheerful." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I cannot imagine." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." meant." "They are typewritten," I remarked. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'I have already given you my word.' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of himself to hunt down. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Yes, only one." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'Yes, it was gone.' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person his huge brown hands. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I would give my fortune to have them back." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress confronted him. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "To an end?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Game for a morning drive?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Pray tell us what has happened to you." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the night.' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. nice household for a young lady." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, seem to you to be relevant or not." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you indiscretion." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one business in the City. She little knew what. "The landlord of the Alpha." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in true." brain must have something in it." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "It is very kind of you." together. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I God! What an exposure! What can I do?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been was used.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that that he will be back before evening." upon the white wrist. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded