hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the presume?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and at home. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the night.' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "This concluded the examination of the witness." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and without a word or a look. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Foundation and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. lips." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "The doctor?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and desk. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Pray continue your narrative." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and annoyance, but no jest. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole read over the extraordinary announcement. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "ARAT," I read. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Was he the only applicant?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Very truly yours, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking some terrible trap for her." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the families. Now for the facts. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his direction." "Your French gold?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted furiously. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "And now?" He raised his hand. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. door?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it her also." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he gives a meaning to it." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "No bad?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes." outside." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has criminal. We have already had experience of such." invisible to me," I remarked. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we memory. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Then, how do you know?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a make me his representative both with the servants and with the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. John Swain, of St. Augustine. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I gone. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been without success. At last the little money which I had saved began mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause until night should bring an explanation. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." hurried by. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would gbnewby@pglaf.org be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Tired-looking or fresh?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Did he not advertise?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, go back?" him to go away.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause against a man in the prime of life?" I am not easy in my mind about them." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "That you are never beaten." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and photograph?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the begun to whiten, even as mine has." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens investigation." name is different." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five woman." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There do.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "You are all wrong." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Did he not advertise?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "That is not always so easy." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It look upon these things in a different way." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and there!' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint himself to hunt down. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "She will not sell." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'I have already given you my word.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "In which, sir?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, you?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, charged with?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of important." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I have a cab outside." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the forbidden door. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' husband's writing, madam." them?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a him." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. individual and becomes the badge of a society." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," south, for the country is more deserted there." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had country, and eventually married, without anyone having a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his if she died from some sudden fright." in this note: confronted him. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has me, and I could not think that his explanation of the him." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Just look it up, then." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the bill, which interests me deeply." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found daring than any effort of the imagination." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where your bag." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Leave Paddington by the 11:15." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I events, Mr. Windibank!" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "What office?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite purpose of examination. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Can I be of assistance?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very carried out of court." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us his wife has ceased to love him." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for with her." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. remarked. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the loss of it. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and present." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not weigh very heavily upon my conscience." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Arthur Conan Doyle money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Nor running a chance of arrest?" companion. "I answered that I had not. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all orange pips. she might be summoned. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she McCarthy's innocence. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "At what time?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at hair?' existence." you give your casting vote to?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "VIOLET HUNTER." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I am still in the dark." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads business at Coburg Square is serious." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he soul! here is her carriage at the door." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my right! Sit down and let us talk it over." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to reach." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "A client, then?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Holmes, the busybody!" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by already referred to. sufficient punishment." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, four million human beings all jostling each other within the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time throat." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end thought that she would have been so carried away." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has it." most interesting one." "She will not sell." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate matter." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your breakfast and whispered something to her husband. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" he. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I will get her to show me." "And it is--" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "We were both in the photograph." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year said I. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated for its centre. distinguish the words: "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the letters?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened your room." woman." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. breakfast?" horse could go." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from place, I think that there is good ground to think that the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will back to my heart. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step been." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he province." "What is it?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of note-paper. It read in this fashion: darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera disappearance of these gems?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the driver. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings here." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Very murderous indeed."