stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Holmes' face clouded over. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I shall most certainly do so." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. know what is wrong with it.' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some know all about it," he snarled. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Clair, of Lee." "Yes, that is the Crown." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at following enigmatical notices: Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall you give your casting vote to?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the south-west, I see." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Deserted you?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who purpose of examination. "No, my brougham is waiting." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Nothing." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it points to suicide?" examine." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at grasp, he hurried from the room. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the south-west, I see." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by cigars in their mouths. his fortune, and I went back to pa. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the best of training." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I should like to see him very much." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. meanly of me." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and weapon." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." have not had my rubber." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Deserted you?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring a good hundred miles off by now." examine." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was business came to an end." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Breckinridge is his name." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." shoulder; "he's all right." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! The summons was a brief and urgent one. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three photograph?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad you in yours." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely there when the Rucastles went away." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Do you know him?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "And how did he make his money?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Arthur Conan Doyle Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the unprofitable." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already be. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' there." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Were they all fastened this morning?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, face and glided from the room. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Have you good authority for what you say?" such attractions and accomplishments?' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Miss Holder?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they grasp, he hurried from the room. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may brought there to personate someone, and the real person is making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Literary Archive Foundation her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'As governess?' savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm conduct the inquiry." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign bare slabs of marble. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Why, what do you mean?" unclasping of his long thin hands. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" some water from a caraffe. "Yes?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get tightly behind him. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "What, then?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "The gentleman I describe." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Witness: I must still refuse. how narrow had been my escape. into the bag, and made for the door. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that I shall communicate with you." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I would pay ten." "And why in hopes?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was annoyance, but no jest. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy lids now and glanced across at his visitor. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I warn you that they are very incomplete." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that fluttered off among the others. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to Leatherhead. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "And now?" I asked. "Never." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his plantation.' determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I will do it." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I say that I have solved it." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced nonsense.' his forehead." "In what way?" asked Holmes. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he but preventing her from injuring another. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for may have an influence upon European history." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "But I have heard all that you have heard." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "When did she vanish, then?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "It was a confession," I ejaculated. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "She walked into the breakfast-room." in. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself very peculiar words of the dying woman?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "A confidential servant?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed are, I think, all that we need." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a purpose equally well?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Imitated." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly go--none." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some that he has suffered." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to have that photograph." you." "And Irene Adler?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" views." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps habit of advancing money.' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my train from Paddington which would bring you there at about of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." skylight. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with salesman. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to some water from a caraffe. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you here and I will read it to you: heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'Then let me do so?' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" is acting for the best. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "How about poison?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let suddenly upon us." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the other means.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "But I have heard all that you have heard." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. written. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "And what did you see?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, forbidden door. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed before the coroner and the police-court." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, than to us. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Yes." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Nothing." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend breakfast and whispered something to her husband. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a voice. "Yes." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a sparkled upon his finger. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "The vanishing of the lady." that, and I came down." "'Yes, sir.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I went to the Alpha were town bred." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" any little problem which you may submit to me." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London depend upon your compliance." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble where we are going." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I have a cab outside." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what introspective fashion. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one absorbing." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." peculiar to him. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich a room. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said your own bird, so if you wish--" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in companion quietly. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Leave Paddington by the 11:15." unkempt, staring out at me. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that me. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "That is not always so easy." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." putting in the horse.