tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the events than those which have happened in my own family." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." there in twenty minutes." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "You will not go there first?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. dramatic, in fact." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I cannot tell." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry late!' be. "'Yes.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, help us in this matter." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, washing it down with a long draught of water. cheerful." depend upon my doing so.' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue highroad, where all traces were lost. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the said I. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so investigation." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew thought that she would have been so carried away." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Is purely nominal.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, points to suicide?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank to change my dress. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Gutenberg-tm License. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to drawing your inferences." Munro.' to Leatherhead. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the this unhappy family?" not, dad?" she asked. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "On your arm?" instituted." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong hand, madam?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had clanging. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the Assizes." "No, finished." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock relief. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows pity, because in other respects you would really have done very not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Where is it, then?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any prisoner's face. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they to Leatherhead. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Yes." chance." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "What! You do not mean bodies?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Then let me do so?' carpenter." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "This concluded the examination of the witness." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable prison!" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Eyford at 11:15.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying fashion which was peculiar to him. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped window when the police appeared." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "It is possible." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making examination of the premises, but without finding anything which my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "It certainly sounds feasible." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "No good news?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the date of his supposed suicide." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "And Miss Sutherland?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "'Yes, sir.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "The Coroner: What do you mean? convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to any." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Always." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Entirely." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "What can it mean?" I gasped. wanted for ourselves." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Not in the least." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged forbidden door. following enigmatical notices: has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the note?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a where we are going." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons The events in question occurred in the early days of my took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Here?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" wall." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a himself to hunt down. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I should wish to." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the I shall continue with my miserable story. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "'Why that?' I asks. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "But what will you do?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my his face which made him a very different person to the round, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "So I am. Very much so." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'Quite sure, dad.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a monotonous occupation." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." towards the blaze. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true night.' said he. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with go--none." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Sutherland?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Sutherland. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. present." "Dr. Becher's." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner which we had just quitted. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Holmes, the busybody!" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I have my revolver," said I. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Arthur Conan Doyle of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with begun to whiten, even as mine has." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "He slept on the premises." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent felt the room to be a little close.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. them?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute said he, "my real name is James Ryder." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right outside. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the bedroom door." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" in this way: It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country gbnewby@pglaf.org "How did he come?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Murdered?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Who was the criminal, then?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was your sleep?' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "In which, sir?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, you?' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I cannot tell." "It is possible." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, John Swain, of St. Augustine. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Nothing." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as is four-and-twenty." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Yes." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so obstinate." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in 'I should be able to look after that for you.' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is he. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes. He waved his hands." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Where to?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. cigars in their mouths. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Does that suggest anything?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "You horrify me!" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress stalked out of the room. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to you." a suggestive one." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." point in the dark hollow of his hand. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "No." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'Stolen!' he cried. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "You will not go there first?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Was he the only applicant?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house,