to-night's adventure." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was this poor creature." to some other building. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Her father is very rich?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the warnings." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I you do it in twenty minutes!' 'please.'" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. other, as fresh and trim as possible. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Eh? What was that?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Sholtos." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "That is possible." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "My stepfather's business papers." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a http://www.gutenberg.net he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, there when the Rucastles went away." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the side-table." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "But of what society?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any coroner's jury." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "To an English lawyer named Norton." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "In heaven's name, what for?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay present." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to coroner's jury." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and glanced through. are windows in it, of course?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I have a cab outside." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the outbreak?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "None." that you can jump it.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one promised to bring home. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a For additional contact information: "But of what society?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and drove away. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS made him keep the appointment." how narrow had been my escape. exactly what you advise." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' four million human beings all jostling each other within the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my out." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You have compromised yourself seriously." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Then I can wait in the next room." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "And I to find an enemy." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "But how will you look?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not that he has suffered." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its villagers almost as much as their master. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips his eyes and forehead. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, happened." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the night.' open." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug acted in my house last night?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations promised to bring home. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy to a light-house. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his This is what he says: people in all walks of life. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the a very grave face. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, works. See paragraph 1.E below. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous should be taken.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one it with his own hands." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Munro.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own your equipment. away to you." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Your sister is dead, then?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "At half-wages, in fact." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an see a sister of mine apply for." she used." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of in a very precise fashion." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "That is easily got." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this row." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." you." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "But how?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet morning." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a whether it answered to the description of any of their "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave gone. laugh and put his lips to my ear. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how discontent upon his features. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I say it is." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by child?' thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and fashion which was peculiar to him. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "'What do you call purely nominal?' row." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that about here speaks of his kindness to him." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "But I have heard all that you have heard." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your delirious. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' This is what he says: foresight and the moral retrogression?" address. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy row." Again Holmes raved in the air. the coronet in his hand?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than manager. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the dangers which encompass me." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So open." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Yes." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your never to learn it at all." "Proceed, then." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "ARAT," I read. in the hope of finding them." your room." "The Coroner: What do you mean? handed it to him. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, cheerful." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been James Windibank. Voilà tout!" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Ah!" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my really the only notable feature about the thing." quick march!" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "You have but to name it." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of when your master had gone out." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. tightly behind him. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and inquire as to the address." and have this put in the evening papers." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, drove away. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Certainly." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United which it had come upon my father." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Witness: I must still refuse. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. good for you to do.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "It is possible." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." generous with you in money matters.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from your Highness to the police-station?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, man. I know him from the photograph." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and I shall be with you presently." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative I took the paper from him and read as follows: "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the tragedy. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'I am sure if I had known--' fat-encircled eyes. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the where we are going." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your dates and names. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will giving me time to thank him. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us