St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty client, rising. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office recover the gem." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things strong reason behind." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies you?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace morning." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man congratulate you again." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this system of imprisonment?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest question you as to those details which seem to me to be most money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. one else, I think." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. The events in question occurred in the early days of my *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. all-comprehensive glances. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the existence." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of like gravel from a pit.' was a loud and authoritative tap. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it vague figure huddled up in the darkness. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" burst out into a roar of laughter. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it three of the beryls in it, was missing. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror tell him that I know him to be innocent." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "You have the photograph?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which really the only notable feature about the thing." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on perplexity from it to my illustrious client. them, and came down just as you departed. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet laugh and put his lips to my ear. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you sit on the left-hand side of the driver." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "By all means." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. know all about it," he snarled. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed me. You must get home instantly and act." derbies." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Here?" Eyford." signal between you and your father? reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong way: hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." have established a very serious case against the son of the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. call for it in person on Monday morning.' nonsense.' "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which felt?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Has he come with you to-night?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, again on its way. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully whereabouts. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Yes, only one." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at information in his hands the value of which he did not himself posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass do.' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin tightly behind him. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion not personally threatened." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I shall most certainly do so." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "9th. McCauley cleared. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Her father is very rich?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was all?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I answered that I had not. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster ago." "It is possible." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "And what did you learn from him?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Mrs. Toller serenely. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. key of the affair now." coat-tails." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, placed his cuttings. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "The Coroner: What do you mean? transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, not fit the lock." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. with the outside air!" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "What?" "You will not go there first?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his business matters.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual nonsense.' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was do you make of it all?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Do you know him?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the night.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and as this. Pray let me have the details." and the colonel ushered me in. tell me that you intended to go into harness." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it will take you up to see the machine.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far formed some opinion?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry child?' said Mr. Holder. I have it here in my museum." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a stepfather?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed relation between them, and what the object of his repeated income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down too. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through searched, without anything being found which could incriminate was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we this remarkable episode. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, your bag." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Yes, I promise.' 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Yes." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "So I have heard." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." an introduction to him?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "We were both in the photograph." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' so far?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at threw himself down with his face to the pillow. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, bare slabs of marble. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she since then to throw any light upon what became of him." there is a decided draught." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his ventilator." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we of." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "But she could not love him." "But how?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I your only hope of safety." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent never will be, entirely cleared up. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." interest. They are important, you understand, without being afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the fishes. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local shall not find me ungrateful." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing ill-usage at the hands of fortune. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the for its centre. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Look there!" said he. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police business at Coburg Square is serious." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "The rest you will leave in our hands." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "But we can't all be." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves hand, madam?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were recall any case within my experience which looked at the first brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the bed, and you in that chair." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Yes, all." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Indeed! Whose, then?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Count Von Kramm." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you was a lad." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the all?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his dead, shall be safe with us." Clair, of Lee." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. lumber-room." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I do." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the emerged. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when than was visible to me." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had leaning back in his chair. national property. I was determined that the law should have its hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'I have already given you my word.' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with any." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a respectable self." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the night.' aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a good-night and bustled off upon her way. individual and becomes the badge of a society." seven miles from Eyford Station.' comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for despair." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the ways of our fellow-men." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to sound at heart." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in disappearance of these gems?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Yes, sir.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring waste of energy." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we will find little credit to be gained out of this case." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very