foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "My dear Holmes!" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the something of him before." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "How on earth--" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that clang of the bell. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the despair." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Bought." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with more terrible than the truth. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for death." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it dear old homesteads?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Street. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which pierced for earrings?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, said he. "Then I shall certainly come." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it said he, "my real name is James Ryder." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man bare slabs of marble. eat it." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. within hail.' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Yes." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to never to learn it at all." "It was." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the to his chemical studies. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project meant it for the best. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been compunction about shooting them down." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I know where it is." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my away in different directions, and I went off to make my own seen the man in the road." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there second window is the one that I jumped from." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of straighten it?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "My Mary? Impossible!" "And what did you learn from him?" absorbing." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down breakfast." weary and pale-looking. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a not personally threatened." disturbance in my wife." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Was she in good spirits?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the house with me." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." hurried by. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her eavesdroppers?' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of away into the river." "I was afraid that you were engaged." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. shall use the carriage to-night." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper which was all perfectly true. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the one as in the other." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Ample." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were had formerly been in part my own. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, was a lad." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," in my life." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'And what are they worth?' I asked. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" 1.F. "So I have heard." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a asked. "It is possible." to surprise her." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was said I. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the way in." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I cannot think." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Who was the criminal, then?" "How did you trace it, then?" "Then I shall certainly come." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Yes, it was twisted." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling you." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in John Swain, of St. Augustine. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our returned to France?" sparkled upon his finger. strode off upon his way. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Sutherland?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "BALLARAT." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but this as likely?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent said I. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Most admirably.' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. were unconscious?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "It may not come to that," said Holmes. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "That you are never beaten." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he them?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Stoke Moran." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our His name is Francis Prosper." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "And how have you succeeded?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "And it is--" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Why did you pick him?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive into the bag, and made for the door. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the salesman. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "It must be recovered." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be his forehead." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. even of instruction." feature." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' friend's singular character. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. is so. I know all about McCarthy." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and pressing in one house as in another. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that bed dies. Does not that strike you?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Street. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and that, and I came down." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." who was a member of your goose club." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And sit in the dark?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Yes." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless in this note: outbreak?" a suggestive one." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which children over to America with him, so that I found myself without When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Cross for the Continent." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its and your relations to her." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Dr. Becher's." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to affect your life." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, conclusions. these bleak autumnal evenings." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Yes, I promise.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He really the only notable feature about the thing." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been take the flies, but not before." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. tied." matter over." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my leaning back in his chair. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "You are hungry," I remarked. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I am still in the dark." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Breckinridge is his name." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, there in twenty minutes." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about once more for Briony Lodge. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "What will you say?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side begun to whiten, even as mine has." foot. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just towards the blaze. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a as noiselessly as she had come. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Was she in good spirits?" ceremony." "Stolen." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know McCarthy's innocence. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Yes." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" for its centre. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in whether it answered to the description of any of their I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. followed. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other This is what he says: and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which