returned to France?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you will be renamed. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen not interfere, come what may. You understand?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that I am arrested." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low have not had my rubber." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from without success. At last the little money which I had saved began of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler business in the City. She little knew what. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and indeed which he could not unravel. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty at home. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he shadow pass over his face as I spoke. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Which are?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Ha! you find it so?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a weary and pale-looking. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the was already answered. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry before, for it was considerably after midnight. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in a very precise fashion." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will to arrive at through this?" "Stolen, then." one of the states of the Union." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "And the cigar-holder?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the tension within him. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room colour had been driven from his face. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to our word." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "But I have heard all that you have heard." the coroner come to?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me noise which awoke you from your sleep?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, it. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was it." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You forget that I know nothing about it." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert hurried by. "What will you say?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them room?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I would pay ten." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Yes, they were peculiar boots." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to too. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Never.' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "It is his hat." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I compunction about shooting them down." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Ten to two.' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any noise which awoke you from your sleep?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I will get her to show me." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his compunction about shooting them down." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a way in everything. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'Oh, no.' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able in. written, and locked the door of the office after me. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "That's no good." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. strong and stiff." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment hurried by. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things here and I will read it to you: the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my British peeress.'" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That American. Then who could this American be, and why should he each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return cup of tea. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I have a cab outside." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Yes." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what galvanised. point in the dark hollow of his hand. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad such person." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And it is--" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of depend upon my doing so.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I beg pardon." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies off." "'Why that?' I asks. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much I shall continue with my miserable story. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us in a very precise fashion." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." companion. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I have seen the police." "I have hopes." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have enough to aid us in our search." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about happened." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than pictures, libraries, or plate. cigars in the box." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were his wife has ceased to love him." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Ample." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "But what is it you wish?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he where we are going." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. one's self under obligations.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate without a word or a look. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers matters immensely." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness country, and eventually married, without anyone having a followed. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'And what salary do you ask?' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. asked. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to-morrow." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might we went to search for him, face downward in a little point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, your co-operation." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and with the outside air!" My friend smiled. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had hereditary King of Bohemia." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may one which it was hard to resist. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. trying to your nerves." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for here and I will read it to you: "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our forebodings. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Yes, at the mines." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he question. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Who by?" "No." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Does that suggest anything?" populous neighbourhood." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'Entirely.' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran upon the shelf for the interim." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. lamp. paper in the air. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "We have tried and failed." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man strode off upon his way. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I am armed." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'Ample.' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile there were so many in the whole country as were brought together disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'I have already given you my word.' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the forebodings. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. at my own good fortune. "No, thank goodness, she did not." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Quite so." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I remarked. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a towards the blaze. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It must be recovered." "'Most admirably.' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, late!' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt call the police, let the police find what they can.' Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." you give your casting vote to?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. him and tried to hold him back. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from noting anything else of interest. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." McCarthy's innocence. to-night's adventure." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have have got?" his grey eyes. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a held up the lantern and gazed about him. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm It may be so in this case, also." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan in the port of London." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest wanted for ourselves." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the man. I know him from the photograph." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what open."