from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' bell. Holmes whistled. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have against a man in the prime of life?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Always." "That is easily got." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "And you don't know his address?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "It was." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his strength in the others." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that I may have something better before very many minutes are brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news breakfast." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "A client, then?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "At what time?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and no precautions can guard against." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a knowledge of the world." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible together. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with these bleak autumnal evenings." "By no means." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "So it appears." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would recover the gem." which we had just quitted. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the nursery. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "And on what day did he meet his death?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I ventilator." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass business in the City. She little knew what. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged pierced for earrings?" fat-encircled eyes. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The your equipment. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the that, and I came down." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "No good news?" chair. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. thought that she would have been so carried away." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was union?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "It is no ordinary one." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas at my remark. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project noble correspondent could be. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I will try. What is it?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Sutherland?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance which was all perfectly true. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is see a sister of mine apply for." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "We must sit without light. He would see it through the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at closing the door. other lovers by making love himself." stepfather?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until happened." entirely devoid of interest." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "He is still with you, I presume?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our status with the IRS. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "And when will you call?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have name is different." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Yes." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Your sister is dead, then?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. light and attacked it." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, morning." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "What will you say?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was take the flies, but not before." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and a shock of very red hair. only touch the interest." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Mrs. Toller serenely. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "But you can know nothing of this?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I digesting their breakfasts at home." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened there were so many in the whole country as were brought together stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the invisible to me," I remarked. formed some opinion?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem even so self-evident a thing as that." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter will be renamed. I leave." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and what these perils are?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were a little more before I quite committed myself. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and in darkness. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the to miss it." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three head. So long, then!" strength in the others." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his everything which you would wish to know." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Sholtos." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "In what way?" asked Holmes. your most interesting statement." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and I shall be with you presently." "Perhaps we may make them less so." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who notes," he said. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the roots. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the ceiling. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "No." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to flock.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Edgeware Road. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Have you her photograph?" feature." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "What can it mean?" I gasped. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, to that open window." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his public press." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes, the wine-cellar." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Entirely.' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can here." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." served to weaken the effect. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "And the cigar-holder?" which we had just quitted. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Then, as to money?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion head. So long, then!" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem call for protection in the marriage market, for the present money should be paid at once.' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose London for the present?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Seven!" I answered. 'please.'" deduce something from that?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I cannot tell." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Absolutely?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to hereditary King of Bohemia." "Look there!" said he. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Have you good authority for what you say?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Not yet." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Yes, all." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "About a month then." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud me have 200 pounds?' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I straightened it out again. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "How do you know, then?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young train.' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the persecution?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Only as much as we can deduce." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of that he will be back before evening." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." time." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again least a most suspicious remark." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her train from Paddington which would bring you there at about for the market.' respectable self." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I was afraid that you were engaged." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Nothing?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the stones. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her works. See paragraph 1.E below. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Why did you pick him?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at any little problem which you may submit to me." returned to France?" Count Von Kramm." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS developed." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "It is possible." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the loss of it. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent again, where I was soon asleep. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that DAMAGE. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and then?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the so-precious time, but come!' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of not fit the lock." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and it." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that was keenly on my guard against him. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." easy-going way." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this