"Won't it ring?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, go--none." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the quickly through a disagreeable task. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very suddenly upon us." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "And who is her maid?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "My own seal." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and files of the old papers, following the future career of every could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. noble correspondent could be. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "What steps will you take?" I asked. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely lips." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. your room." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and bedroom door." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "And the murderer?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Witness: Nothing definite. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to way in everything. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six only touch the interest." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault indiscretion." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Then, as to money?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered outside." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us late!' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have acquaintance?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, and looked back. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "No." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Has he come with you to-night?" "I shall be delighted." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle if only as a check to my own memory." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried chemical work which was so dear to him. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, you." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I closing the door. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as to me. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. other means.' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'Stolen!' he cried. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may very peculiar words of the dying woman?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not feature." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "No." the bed, and you in that chair." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just meant." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Pray let us have it, for all that." retorted upon me, and I on you." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very my room." "Nearly eleven." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" one which it was hard to resist. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend maiden herself was most instructive." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in hour." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who his knees, staring into the fire. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his distinguish the words: and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which ventilator." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he on in his house." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and have this put in the evening papers." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you that you wished to speak to me?' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I shall most certainly do so." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor remarked. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put late." desk. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land floor. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out presented which may be striking and bizarre without being very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words rooms." "Nothing?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Have you her photograph?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would conclusions. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at paper in the air. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I from you?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Upon what point?" Eyford." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Then, as to money?" money should be paid at once.' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Only as much as we can deduce." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in call the police, let the police find what they can.' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. present." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully key turn in the lock." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the ceiling. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to was a loud and authoritative tap. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "That is easily got." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George on in his house." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked married her." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I cannot tell." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every be best to do. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the presume?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A other means.' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the how narrow had been my escape. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "No legal papers or certificates?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the cup of tea. "'Yes, sir.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old tension within him. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "And now?" He raised his hand. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for upon the shelf for the interim." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Quite so. She has her freedom." six. Come in!" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "No?" the one as in the other." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no nothing of it?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "But we can't all be." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me that he will be back before evening." said I. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his daring than any effort of the imagination." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he to-night?' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be cigar and let me expound." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'What, the red-headed man?' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Certainly." "'Where to?' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just despaired of." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how your Highness to the police-station?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the stones. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I don't believe it." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a always that they were such commands as a lady might with "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let long narrative. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord in a friendly supper." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and careless servant girl?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a be. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Bought." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some yourselves in at night?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood crowd. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Your presence might be invaluable." "The best possible." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the four million human beings all jostling each other within the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I neither fascinating nor artistic." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the if only as a check to my own memory." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in invisible to me," I remarked. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his his grey eyes. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'Very good.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to in my life." the dangers which encompass me." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Of what?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a good for you to do.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Why that?' I asks. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the station." house for five minutes.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side said he. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "In what way?" asked Holmes. were unconscious?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from as this. Pray let me have the details." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Perhaps we may make them less so." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all