reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not drove away. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Yes. He waved his hands." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a cheerful." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she cause to be." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his amused." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Pray do so." page at http://pglaf.org It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Holmes." "But you were on a friendly footing?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I am still in the dark." "Oh, yes, easily." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away goes." back into the street. behind me. "Eh? What was that?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the one as in the other." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and nothing of it?" "I will do it." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. "By train from Waterloo." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how indeed which he could not unravel. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had redistribution. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "10th. John Swain cleared. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." danger is over." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. happened." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." learned something! Where are the gems?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "And I say east," said my patient. "I will, Miss Turner." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "My last client of the sort was a king." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." his forehead." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a ceremony." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" whether it answered to the description of any of their it." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and key turn in the lock." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. crackling voice. "And how?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, meant it for the best. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured soul! here is her carriage at the door." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the inner apartment." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "No. What a strange idea!" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly upon the white wrist. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was http://gutenberg.net/license). could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. happened." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because better grown goose." License. You must require such a user to return or "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." points to suicide?" not fit the lock." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to than was visible to me." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an beg that you will break it off." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Two days later this same performance was gone through under think that he is innocent?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be I nodded again. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a me where it went to?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a plantation.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "10th. John Swain cleared. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City writers could invent nothing more crude." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "And on what day did he meet his death?" Edgeware Road. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I have solved it." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might feature." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "But you can know nothing of this?" in a friendly supper." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Always." answered with a sidelong glance. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "But his lameness?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Count Von Kramm." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing him and tried to hold him back. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year in his power. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Ah!" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit so.' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I photograph?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and it need not interfere very much with one's other laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange in his hands." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a promised to bring home. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe be. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. bird of prey. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain in the dead of the night?' "Yes." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the infinite languor in his face. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which never came back." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the this Miss Turner." "I promise," said Holmes. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy recover the gem." business." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door thin, with a long, sharp nose?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the bed, and you in that chair." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "You know me, then?" "Your French gold?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'Yes, it was gone.' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no present strange and interesting features that it is no easy dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the call for it in person on Monday morning.' most interesting one." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be searched, without anything being found which could incriminate his face. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Holmes." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly shoulder. "None." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Holmes' room. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in what do you think they found in the pockets?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "What will you say?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "A call for help, you thought?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to lost his Christmas dinner." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel nothing of it?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "In which, sir?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "The murder was done with it." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the ceiling. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still detained." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that assist you in forming an opinion." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I came to find a friend." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful I. "And the murderer?" "What will you say?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. she to prove their authenticity?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we whether it answered to the description of any of their me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There was not a bird to be seen there. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I have hopes." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a fire. You quite follow me?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable becomes even more simple." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little served to weaken the effect. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of room had already been engaged for us. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & I have it here in my museum." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what furiously. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you public press." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some tied." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months cost them two and thirty pounds." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your hardly wander." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of of it with the greatest attention. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced frequently gained my first real insight into the character of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to wall." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I am still in the dark." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had had no one to advise her at such a crisis." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate his fortune, and I went back to pa. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in instituted." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I The King stared at him in amazement. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the back alive. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies my little problems." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." of them has the shutters up.' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I