other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not in his power. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Holmes. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' public press." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'As governess?' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was outside." bachelor.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I shall most certainly do so." companion. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in papers on the sundial.'" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and not as remarkable as your advertisement." fled together." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "And is that all?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I beg pardon." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" posted to-day." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Heh?' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Pope's Court. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that his wife has ceased to love him." chance at all." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "And how did you find out?" direction." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since in this way: along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a stalked out of the room. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "But to whom?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, License. You must require such a user to return or "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line pictures, libraries, or plate. several quiet little villages up there." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she which we had just quitted. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Yes." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this whatever might befall. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the are, and they are waiting for us." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a awaited us upon the table. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. You want to know what became of those geese?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "And why in hopes?" together. "Pray do so." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and thought that she would have been so carried away." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He been shamefully used." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ amused." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "But you were on a friendly footing?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I cannot as yet see any connection." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by in him." "But how did you gain them?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and stood on the top of it. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "When did she vanish, then?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose for securing the situation." "We have tried and failed." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her I shall communicate with you." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his morning." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Why? What do you mean?" have got?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to a good hundred miles off by now." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was not personally threatened." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "When did it break out?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'And what salary do you ask?' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, excitement. License. You must require such a user to return or Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was client, rising. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I would pay ten." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop come either from the window or the door. My attention was even of instruction." "Never." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the in the port of London." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the question. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in very old mansion. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw if I call to-morrow?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a this man was intellectual?" coat-tails." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "No, my brougham is waiting." neither fascinating nor artistic." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Well, it is a possible supposition." walking." "Yes, that is the Crown." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Won't it ring?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. how narrow had been my escape. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Well." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Yes." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Yes, sir." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It must be recovered." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' six. Come in!" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn to-night?" I asked. sake, don't!" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of them has the shutters up.' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "This photograph!" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I wedding?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose breakfast?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Witness: I must still refuse. "The best possible." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great floor. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "What steps will you take?" I asked. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, which are rolled in Rotterdam." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Yes, he did." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "None." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to there is a decided draught." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the forecastle of an emigrant ship. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, his huge brown hands. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" your only hope of safety." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "What can it mean?" I gasped. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "He said that you could solve anything." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. III. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I beg pardon." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both most interesting one." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress system of imprisonment?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an your Highness to the police-station?" "No. What a strange idea!" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There were new raised from a basin. gigantic client. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "What then?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of Mr. Rucastle's." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, fled together." "It was." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past as yours." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of fear." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into visitors." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and dates and names. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the salesman. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with written, and locked the door of the office after me. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four II. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, desk. "No, distinctly professional." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." maid will bring up your coffee." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Then I can wait in the next room." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe happened." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. not personally threatened." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut in his power. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the observed. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder morning." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their humiliation." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "They are typewritten," I remarked. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was her also." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for knowledge of the world." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by call you and give you the chance." will be renamed. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I But Holmes shook his head gravely. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the clanging. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Why did you beat the pavement?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to strong and stiff." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't fled together." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light."