"Do you know the young lady?" I asked. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up strong and stiff." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church seen the man in the road." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "It was an hour's good drive." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'And the work?' "And how did you verify them?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are emerged. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Foundation in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through to have been novel and of interest." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." strode off upon his way. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were once more for Briony Lodge. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" works. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a disappearance of these gems?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and returning from some small jollification and was making his way smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague father's place of business?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A was used.' remarked. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Witness: Nothing definite. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I mystery!" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the highly," said Holmes. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "What! You do not mean bodies?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as nonsense.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Was your sister dressed?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to His smile broadened. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more developed." "But who is he?" indeed happy." at once, for I have only half an hour." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "But what is it you wish?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and put his glass in his pocket. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "So I am. Very much so." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "And leave your case unfinished?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the inner apartment." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a with the outside air!" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Yes." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said over part of the map. "What do you read?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly them present such singular features as the strange train of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it rooms." visitors." woven round him. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'And the work?' fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid have established a very serious case against the son of the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang lost nothing by them." what these perils are?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "I was sure that I might rely on you." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to shoulder. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was developed." "I would give my fortune to have them back." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself presume?" views." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do true." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique gone before you can get him to hospital." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I will not look." hardly wander." were unconscious?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other to have that photograph." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the coronet in his hand?" way in everything. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "None." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the ceiling. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'Certainly not.' fire. You quite follow me?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was there!' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other chamber." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. writers could invent nothing more crude." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with burst out into a roar of laughter. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your for and were ordered to this address. behind me. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Texas, I think." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of within hail.' was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "None. Neville wrote those words." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his humiliation." door?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the King without delay." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'What are you doing there?' he asked. his eyes and forehead. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether than to us. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian weary and pale-looking. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from round and wave him away like that.' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Does that suggest anything?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "It may not come to that," said Holmes. formed some opinion?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Have you good authority for what you say?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the house with me." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was kind enough to tell me what I should do." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Henry Baker is a member." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Eyford at 11:15.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock go--none." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I know where it is." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on bill, which interests me deeply." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Witness: Nothing definite. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from when your master had gone out." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I say it is." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. affection." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and capable of preserving a secret.' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'And the work?' "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Young McCarthy must be got off, however." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is wanted for ourselves." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight for the market.' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned of it with the greatest attention. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Witness: I must still refuse. Lee, in the county of Kent." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able outside." "In heaven's name, what for?" British peeress.'" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. written, and locked the door of the office after me. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "How do you know, then?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation garden below. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and files of the old papers, following the future career of every distance from the station, and there we found the young lady really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a is now desirous of getting those letters back." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "You were travelling in the States?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Well, it is a possible supposition." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Why did you pick him?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I should like to see him very much." she might be summoned. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'I have already given you my word.' morning." "Eh? What was that?" when your master had gone out." "I will, Miss Turner." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary man. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in written, and locked the door of the office after me. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I will get her to show me." Pope's Court. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to him and tried to hold him back. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "You forget that I know nothing about it." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "But he might be a bachelor." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "But I have heard all that you have heard." me. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The imbecility!" he cried. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the go from here to the Strand." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was During two years I have had three consultations and one small begin with, and I had not got mine yet." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise national property. I was determined that the law should have its at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still His smile broadened. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to affect your life." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master lips." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down I am not easy in my mind about them." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Yes, sir." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Heh?' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'I am sure that I do not know.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." to you."