for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if my friend's incisive reasoning. morning." "Precisely." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, upon the sideboard." colonel looking down at me. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and purpose equally well?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The have established a very serious case against the son of the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. business matters.' this poor creature." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime straightened it out again. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. awaited us upon the table. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Certainly." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. them present such singular features as the strange train of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Just look it up, then." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the touch that coronet?' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Why did you pick him?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Sutherland. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a you give your casting vote to?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You will not go there first?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the served to weaken the effect. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "9th. McCauley cleared. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Did you become engaged then?" chance at all." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Holmes, the busybody!" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I should wish to." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Of what day?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." pictures, libraries, or plate. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. jewels which you have stolen?' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which relation between them, and what the object of his repeated by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." rose-bushes. said he. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked placed his cuttings. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had it right.' carriage. It was a chestnut." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It whatever might befall. followed. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet walking." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." was a loud and authoritative tap. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me our word." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Did you become engaged then?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to so.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he light and attacked it." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "To an end?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Stolen, then." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the felt?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the been." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first is a common subject for conversation. "How on earth--" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with suspect him." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. instincts rose up against that laugh. the nursery. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside instituted." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were characteristics, but those are the more obvious." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Yes." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "That is unusual in a young girl." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly hand, madam?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. your only hope of safety." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced of Fenchurch Street." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at it." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last coat-tails." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "And how?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all sofa. This way, please!" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Pool. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried which are rolled in Rotterdam." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the cheerful." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Witness: I must still refuse. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Holmes, the busybody!" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard outsides of the windows. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "What! You do not mean bodies?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias lips." I held the little printed slip to the light. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Come in!" said he. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "If I can be of use." drawing your inferences." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people any." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "And what did you see?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "But you can know nothing of this?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our returned to France?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Yes." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "And help." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Was he the only applicant?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and never will be, entirely cleared up. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had writers could invent nothing more crude." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate likely to be some crony of the landlady's." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." posted to-day." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "So it appears." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The colour had been driven from his face. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely dear old homesteads?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has to-night?" I asked. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I saw her in conversation with her maid." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for it. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way at my own good fortune. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or gigantic client. "If I can be of use." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That of this gang." your bag." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "But you were on a friendly footing?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "It is his hat." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she feature." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, I am not easy in my mind about them." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal entirely lost his self-respect." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say said he. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "But she will refuse." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "You are all wrong." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "But I am all in the dark." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Pray be precise as to details," said he. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "But of what society?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. dates and names. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. yourselves in at night?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of during that time.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Pray continue your narrative." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Yes." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "And how?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There families. Now for the facts. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true returning from some small jollification and was making his way "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this his fortune, and I went back to pa. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Holmes, the busybody!" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Arthur Conan Doyle lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "No, my brougham is waiting." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Doctor, of the paper and the date." to miss it." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted joking. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young singular points about the case. What did the police think of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that before taking the final step I should like to submit the IS strode off upon his way. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the matter?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been know that the truth is known." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My papers must be those that are destroyed.' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth License. You must require such a user to return or "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Ha! you find it so?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in