"Won't it ring?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It is true that I have been generally successful." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "No, finished." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Your sister is dead, then?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg entirely devoid of interest." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City was the fact that his father should, according to his account, hour?' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the made him keep the appointment." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Oh, yes, easily." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, crowd. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no me upon any point which I do not make clear." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, have one." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and business." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I asked. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in least a fellow-countryman. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and depend upon my doing so.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And for present expenses?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "9th. McCauley cleared. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "What can you not understand?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Certainly." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his have not had my rubber." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other persecution?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had particular state visit http://pglaf.org "What steps will you take?" I asked. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which bare slabs of marble. "You have a clue?" "Upon what point?" manager. what is your own theory as to what took place?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his character. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And what then?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which long narrative. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Countess of Morcar's?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his amused." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have really the only notable feature about the thing." "What then?" to me. particular state visit http://pglaf.org skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I cannot imagine." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see vault. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America so far?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the to-night." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that shoulder; "he's all right." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly habit of advancing money.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far bachelor.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the said he. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my morning." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it horse could go." fasten all the windows?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "How did he come?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, union?" even of instruction." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose which it had come upon my father." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Was your sister dressed?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is danger is over." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack know that the truth is known." had a long day." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and have this put in the evening papers." walking." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "On the contrary, this is the right side." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the wall." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "What office?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the in the hope of finding them." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to pierced for earrings?" appeared upon the scene." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the made him keep the appointment." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would is acting for the best. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering his huge brown hands. Mrs. Toller serenely. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have indeed happy." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. other lovers by making love himself." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, desk. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'Quite sure, dad.' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, footfalls from the street. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such emerged. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire quite distinctive." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have were new raised from a basin. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but bears upon the case?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them matter." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, it. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his for the market.' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I know where it is." evidence," I remarked. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "He disappeared so suddenly." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this power." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I introspective fashion. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the best detective that ever lived. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the bottom.' "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were bell. Holmes whistled. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the definite end. closely." go back?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon will be renamed. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." happened." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Where did you address your letters, then?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is have accepted such a situation. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was families. Now for the facts. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg individual and becomes the badge of a society." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "And I to find an enemy." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! hard-headed British jury." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Certainly." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster suddenly upon us." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a daring than any effort of the imagination." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, late!' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of mystery." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a new acquaintance to Baker Street. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you heavily into it. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest in my life." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "One of the highest in England." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of III. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "You know me, then?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Yes, it was twisted." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or anything to do with the matter?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the my little problems." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be secret." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. help us in this matter." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "By no means." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended simple cases which are so extremely difficult." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with residence of the great financier. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional I am not easy in my mind about them." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Holmes' thin, eager face. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "It is a murder, then?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she humiliation." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "It missed him, then?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "You saw the ventilator, too?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the so-precious time, but come!' arrested. You then--" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short straightened it out again. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "No, I think that I'll take it." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm leaning back in his chair. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made this poor creature." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded late." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I have hopes." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat door?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "A call for help, you thought?" leaning back in his chair. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "No, my brougham is waiting." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "He slept on the premises." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, cup of tea. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he forebodings. "But to whom?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official hand, madam?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a It may be so in this case, also." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "None." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The to have that photograph." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES ***