performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, do.' to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could your own bird, so if you wish--" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He rooms." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of a monotonous occupation." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to take care of herself." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Edgeware Road. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Never to return." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was strength." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "VIOLET HUNTER." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had fait accompli?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced later, upon the night of May 2nd." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "But you have hopes?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Your presence might be invaluable." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "It is no ordinary one." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to may never be exposed to such a temptation." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. him." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Pray be precise as to details," said he. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Mrs. Toller serenely. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. purpose of examination. lost his Christmas dinner." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "No sign of it?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and inquire as to the address." already referred to. "Witness: I must still refuse. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Miss Holder?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Could he throw no light?" "I am to be neutral?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I danger is over." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it is now desirous of getting those letters back." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and that he would see to anything that turned up. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a him!" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive just called myself is not exactly my own." present." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it and prosperity to your house. Good-night." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed prisoner's face. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be touch that coronet?' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. could go. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband of campaign. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Well, some hundreds of times." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have know what is wrong with it.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key to tackle the facts." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Did you observe the colour?" you understand?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On washing it down with a long draught of water. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the bill, which interests me deeply." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "What then?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very so far?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "But I have heard all that you have heard." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She gone. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another to me. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." what these perils are?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the appeal." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have someone who had been in Australia." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "What do you make of that, Watson?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "But the mystery?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "So I am. Very much so." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "You have a clue?" "Yes, only one." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with tail." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle hour." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning upon the sideboard." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets to miss it." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I say it is." done what I asked you, Jones?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "That's no good." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Is purely nominal.' people don't know." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Frequently." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your good for you to do.' That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry case-book, which he consulted. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm have had none more fantastic than this." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. direction." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which villagers almost as much as their master. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, these bleak autumnal evenings." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs is," said he presently: preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly you found me to-night--and running through the front room she is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "And how in the world did you find them?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which wedding?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to miss it." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in The summons was a brief and urgent one. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has down from London to inquire more deeply into it." been shamefully used." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have upon a handsome competence. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" meanly of me." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Then I am your man." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no a good hundred miles off by now." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and capable of preserving a secret.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an strength." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'I have heard so.' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of all?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which as he folded up the epistle. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "What office?" occupations.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began leave you to your papers for a little." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no bachelor.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version lost his Christmas dinner." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "But what is it you wish?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "When did she vanish, then?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and outside. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Stolen, then." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond you in your example." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began directors, with the result that you have seen." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your peculiar to him. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a whatever might befall. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our upon the white wrist. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "And now?" I asked. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Murdered?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "You did not overhear what they said?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, new duties?' sound at heart." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his in darkness. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to-night?' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Perfectly so." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered indeed which he could not unravel. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." bird of prey. goes." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe take the flies, but not before." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an