pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Could he throw no light?" "You know me, then?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of bell. Holmes whistled. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Pray do so." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped infinite languor in his face. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "You have a clue?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she father's place of business?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital envelope. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Why that?' I asks. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, what do you think they found in the pockets?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Did you become engaged then?" Serpentine Avenue. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this footfalls from the street. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'Entirely.' stalked out of the room. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Not in a good cause." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with now. It seems that there had been some informality about their an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front now. It seems that there had been some informality about their aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Yes." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, ready to-morrow?' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. eavesdroppers?' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at records." have accepted such a situation. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say cost them two and thirty pounds." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "What can you not understand?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as I held the little printed slip to the light. problems help me to do so." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'What do you call purely nominal?' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her distinguish the words: their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What me have 200 pounds?' before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I letters?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." letters?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I cannot imagine." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "BALLARAT." and glanced through. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Proceed, then." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had once more on the important position which you have been fortunate outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "It missed him, then?" your own bird, so if you wish--" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." allusion to a rat. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who annoyance, but no jest. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "I shall be delighted." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I cannot tell." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "And who is her maid?" would apply.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "On Monday." "It is half-past ten now." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a that there was nothing in it, after all." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out to-night?' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "By no means." fat-encircled eyes. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with which our visitor detailed to us. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an made him keep the appointment." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "No." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say himself in a perplexing position. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Nothing." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "What are they?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told DISSOLVED. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want giving me time to thank him. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection newspaper selections." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "And now?" I asked. criminal. We have already had experience of such." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "And your mother is alive?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to should be so warm over such a trifle." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing fait accompli?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached a little more before I quite committed myself. which it had come upon my father." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the south-west, I see." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in your most interesting statement." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the fled together." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he thirty. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. sofa. This way, please!" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have help us in this matter." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "It may not come to that," said Holmes. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Have you her photograph?" leaning back in his chair. "And the cigar-holder?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Does that suggest anything?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "ARAT," I read. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in peculiar to him. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Very much so." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Heh?' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple I was concerned in it." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'Yes.' said Mr. Holder. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Then, how do you know?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge interested in these little problems, and since you are good instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly wife's character?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of situation." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "It is very kind of you." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Gutenberg-tm License. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there whether it answered to the description of any of their morning." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his already referred to. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. second." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Certainly not. But why?' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. voice. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Then, how do you know?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Yes?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have tassel actually lying upon the pillow. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and figure." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "It is to him that this trophy belongs." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag photograph?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "What steps will you take?" I asked. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "What will you do, then?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure astonishment. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some rat could hardly pass through." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not characteristics, but those are the more obvious." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I business matters.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do plantation.' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "When did she vanish, then?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "He is dead," cried several voices. the roots. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "What have you done?" asked Holmes. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he said I. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I fear not." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, done what I asked you, Jones?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He you." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' morning." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of would then never go into court at all." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "What can you not understand?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found once more. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which chill to my heart. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "What is it, then--a fire?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune learned something! Where are the gems?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "If I can be of use." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads to me. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he some city in a dream.