many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "How on earth--" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." as noiselessly as she had come. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side once more to my work. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Has he come with you to-night?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to all that?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." presented more singular features than that which was associated and looked back. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his useful material for showing traces. The double line a little future lives." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Cross for the Continent." "Yes, the wine-cellar." congratulate you again." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think cigars in the box." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted in him." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and your relations to her." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, province." not within a twentieth part of the market price." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes my little problems." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon The King stared at him in amazement. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. to a more successful conclusion." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece read it out to me." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Your French gold?" anything to do with the matter?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "And is that all?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I am in hopes that she does." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, face and glided from the room. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your me. You must get home instantly and act." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted not within a twentieth part of the market price." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Nearly eleven." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and mysterious business." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I was mad--insane." noble correspondent could be. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, overpowering excitement and concern. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, http://www.gutenberg.net "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" within hail.' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, he. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do upon an income of about 60 pounds." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were to a light-house. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'And the work?' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Were they all fastened this morning?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is characteristics, but those are the more obvious." lost nothing by them." became a certainty. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." assist you in forming an opinion." "Yes." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing have been better. It is all right." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have than was visible to me." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great congenial hunt. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'About the same.' "That also I could fathom." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote unprecedented a position." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me read over the extraordinary announcement. "'A dozen yards or so.' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "How about poison?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "You heard nothing yourself last night?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which cigars in their mouths. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek redistribution. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. bird of prey. carriage. It was a chestnut." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. straightened it out again. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran colour had been driven from his face. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it threw himself down with his face to the pillow. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of were unconscious?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "And how have you succeeded?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "If I can be of use." the station." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. respectable self." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a directors, with the result that you have seen." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, you for a few hours?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on weighed down with some great anxiety. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," might help us?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only than to us. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from as this. Pray let me have the details." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was from the brougham. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Countess of Morcar's?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I would pay ten." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep fishes. this unhappy family?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'I am sure if I had known--' bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely against a man in the prime of life?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Where is it, then?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not awaited us upon the table. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow before, for it was considerably after midnight. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, nights." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon if only as a check to my own memory." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "To an end?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the approach us with offers to donate. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Yes." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Frequently." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building lamp. writers could invent nothing more crude." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." in the hope of finding them." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save which we had just quitted. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "What, then, did Peterson do?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." get her out of the way." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish villagers almost as much as their master. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else fire. You quite follow me?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the I am not easy in my mind about them." wedding?" empty. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the bottom.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "My Mary? Impossible!" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Not in the least." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a me. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of to a light-house. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was not within a twentieth part of the market price." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and matter." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a hurried away. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project been able to understand it, in a very few words. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, where she found matters as described by the last witness. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "By all means." "My opinion is in no way altered." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some garden below. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to head. So long, then!" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible row." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, outside." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He been deceived." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt third from London." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such narrative." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Eyford at 11:15.' "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "At what time?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a McCarthy's innocence. do.' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered License. You must require such a user to return or as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both questioning and rather startled gaze. them present such singular features as the strange train of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "We were both in the photograph." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Get out!" said he. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? best detective that ever lived. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Was she in good spirits?" would then never go into court at all." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his fatally injured? learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "It is a murder, then?" Holmes' thin, eager face. that?' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Then what has happened to him?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Stolen!' he cried. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "None." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Thank you. And your address?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. this man was intellectual?" know that the truth is known." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the to that open window." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the been deceived." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove vanished into the darkness. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, him nearly every evening." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "ARAT," I read. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to to tell." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from me where it went to?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating