quickly through a disagreeable task. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Henry Baker is a member." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer whether it answered to the description of any of their covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the straightened it out again. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I cannot think." is four-and-twenty." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "We were both in the photograph." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "My stepfather's business papers." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Entirely.' protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It is possible." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very bled considerably." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the coronet in his hands?" him!" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father directors have had misgivings upon the subject." as yours." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and vanished into the darkness. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had undoubtedly my uncle's." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Ah!" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business ventilator." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one unkempt, staring out at me. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Well, some hundreds of times." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every even so self-evident a thing as that." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her tightly behind him. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, dead, shall be safe with us." cheerful." hurried away. she used." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia paper in the air. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Foundation nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I have come for advice." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little standing smiling on the door-step. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." learned something! Where are the gems?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods photograph?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I have a cab outside." ourselves in the office." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a future lives." visitors." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "How did that help you?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see which was all perfectly true. 1.E.9. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my carriage. It was a chestnut." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "And the murderer?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a me." "Proceed, then." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss then?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for envelope. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, over part of the map. "What do you read?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. when you have done it." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Entirely." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "To an end?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR letters?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in desk. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Ample." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "And is that all?" best detective that ever lived. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "That is possible." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several not, dad?" she asked. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I promise," said Holmes. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something man. charge against him will break down." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' union?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a me. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange I held the little printed slip to the light. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which singular points about the case. What did the police think of the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of receipt of the work. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had she to prove their authenticity?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the very morning of my second wedding." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of Mr. Rucastle's." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "What! a murderous attack?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the King without delay." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the cigars in their mouths. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which clang of the bell. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last experiences." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "No, my brougham is waiting." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, straighten it?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he together. speckled band?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "And Irene Adler?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "What then?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'And the work?' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." wife's character?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the armchair which I pushed forward for him. as the one I chose?' "Certainly." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Yes, it was twisted." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the coroner come to?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the tell them apart.' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "What is it, then--a fire?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was should be taken.' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's formed some opinion?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. business matters.' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Look there!" said he. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "But your client--" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Absolutely none." "You are hungry," I remarked. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for in him." "But you can know nothing of this?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Ah!" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H During two years I have had three consultations and one small room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he bachelor.' "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said that he has suffered." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the problems help me to do so." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account but preventing her from injuring another. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the may have an influence upon European history." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be promised to bring home. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the During two years I have had three consultations and one small as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I works. See paragraph 1.E below. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was him." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "What have you to say now?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the coroner come to?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" ventilator." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my could go. charged with?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "But I am all in the dark." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he had this final quarrel? to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "In San Francisco, a year ago." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. fasten all the windows?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Not him." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It man. I know him from the photograph." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Not in a good cause." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was so far?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "No good news?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us hour." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. affection." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. words came to my lips. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction that threaten you." head. So long, then!" views." away to you." "Look there!" said he. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City