liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "What then?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of a light. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about to-morrow." experiences." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the brandy and water within his reach. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers seven miles from Eyford Station.' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has purpose of examination. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to excitement. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "No, but the enclosure is." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "There are none." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his presented more singular features than that which was associated "I have come for advice." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "He said too much." "Always." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Absolutely none." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no have had none more fantastic than this." who was a member of your goose club." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged signal between you and your father? "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about served to weaken the effect. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "From his hat?" London for the present?" door?" "Yes. He waved his hands." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and stood on the top of it. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk awaited us upon the table. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and did not hear it also.' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he London for the present?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. province." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before himself in a perplexing position. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "In the cells." companion. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. it. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Entirely." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, beg that you will break it off." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to have that photograph." "Yes, it would be as well." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded at once, for I have only half an hour." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high that I am arrested." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was business matters.' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and occurred." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom rose-bushes. other, as fresh and trim as possible. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. too. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, status with the IRS. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "That is it on the dressing-table." astonishment. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "To the police?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "But of what society?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, exactly what you advise." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I have a cab outside." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and indiscretion." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked society." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It other lovers by making love himself." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Not social, then?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the third from London." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Ah!" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, during that time.' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I awkward doing business with an alias." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without as the one I chose?' hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every locked." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself I shall communicate with you." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; second." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." who was a member of your goose club." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating His name is Francis Prosper." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Stoke Moran." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. highly," said Holmes. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the once more for Briony Lodge. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than hurried away. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Yes, that is the Crown." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Perfectly so." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she lost nothing by them." "We must have a cab." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the morning and make my own way in the world.' promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the opened the door, and slipped through. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to never came back." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he stood on the top of it. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "No." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one extraordinary contortions. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. maiden herself was most instructive." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I shall communicate with you." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the cheerful." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw from the brougham. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport heavy and sharp instrument." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this your bag." "No." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons showing my impatience. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this The events in question occurred in the early days of my a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO from you?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what occupations.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another your sleep?' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm straighten it?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a me what he had done with the three missing stones. Dr. Gregory B. Newby manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It coat-tails." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you chill to my heart. corner of the building. "Then, as to money?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the fatally injured? "One?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Will you bet, then?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Nothing?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than has little to do with my story." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, me have 200 pounds?' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father lids now and glanced across at his visitor. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get few hundred pounds.' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have vanished into the darkness. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and no precautions can guard against." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Chief Executive and Director "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I unkempt, staring out at me. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Sholtos." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself carried out of court." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' You want to know what became of those geese?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "But how will you look?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one again before evening." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Nothing." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Nothing." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Never." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" enough to aid us in our search." were unconscious?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a attention." himself in a perplexing position. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she hurried away. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and it. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on what is your own theory as to what took place?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Serpentine Avenue. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a made him keep the appointment." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until that the gas is not laid on in his house?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this about here speaks of his kindness to him." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, some water from a caraffe. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Sholtos." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a companion. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to must be when I saw the door open.' "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "If so, much may have happened between." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but but preventing her from injuring another. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an it. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "And from a noble client?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my