Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but you do it in twenty minutes!' "No, I am descending." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "If so, much may have happened between." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we to-night's adventure." "That was it, sir." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Ha! you find it so?" followed. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." some city in a dream. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Seven!" I answered. way in." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "That was it, sir." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and capable of preserving a secret.' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" sneer upon his pale face. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Have you it here?" "I think that it is very probable." are windows in it, of course?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." fashion which was peculiar to him. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which astonishment. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps laugh and put his lips to my ear. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, against a man in the prime of life?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Yes." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to I nodded again. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no have established a very serious case against the son of the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "You are hungry," I remarked. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to invisible to me," I remarked. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Perfectly so." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the coronet in his hands?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I think it very unlikely." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "But she will refuse." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning name is different." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I have solved it." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is burst out into a roar of laughter. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come retorted upon me, and I on you." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "What, then, did Peterson do?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and laugh and put his lips to my ear. leave you to your papers for a little." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Again Holmes raved in the air. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "You think that he is dead?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Oh, no.' typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "And how did you find out?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the cost them two and thirty pounds." only touch the interest." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Yes." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "At what time?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love infinite languor in his face. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Ah!" "What then?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." depend upon my doing so.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to she used." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the date of his supposed suicide." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, clang of the bell. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have go from here to the Strand." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Why, what do you mean?" "I see many objections to any such theory." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I cannot imagine." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Not in the least." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its 'please.'" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated gives a meaning to it." held up the lantern and gazed about him. unclasping of his long thin hands. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'Oh, no.' certainly do as you advise." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the observed. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's when your master had gone out." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass vault. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to of receipt of the work. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I have a cab outside." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon memory. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "The landlord of the Alpha." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "He might." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. reach." his fortune, and I went back to pa. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every character. "And on what day did he meet his death?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently footfalls from the street. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." The summons was a brief and urgent one. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought these bleak autumnal evenings." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Game for a morning drive?" fattened it expressly for you.' "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Pool. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of crime." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'Yes, it was gone.' believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "From his hat?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and take the flies, but not before." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the nursery. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was some city in a dream. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Holmes, the busybody!" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He awaited us upon the table. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of telegram would bring me down to your help." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Was she in good spirits?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Nothing." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make union?" "'What, the red-headed man?' words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "You think that he is dead?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "He slept on the premises." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was with the outside air!" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in cigars in their mouths. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has strange features which were associated with the two crimes which black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Yes." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to unprofitable." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double delirious. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover light and attacked it." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the lips." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the system of imprisonment?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "You horrify me!" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "None." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular I approached. late!' Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated bears upon the case?" at my remark. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "But I have heard all that you have heard." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Dirty?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors my secret was safe in his possession. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard this man was intellectual?" south, for the country is more deserted there." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the you." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "We must have a cab." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Look there!" said he. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. entirely lost his self-respect." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United his knees, staring into the fire. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "You think so, too?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "How did that help you?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "When did she vanish, then?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no bachelor.' breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of burst out into a roar of laughter. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon strode off upon his way. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the head. So long, then!" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from business." way in." one else, I think."