had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "She told me to ask you." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" present." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an you understand?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead with you alone." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain father's young wife. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "No, but the enclosure is." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my to-morrow." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'I have heard so.' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to bachelor.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "But I have heard all that you have heard." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry already referred to. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I have a cab outside." is four-and-twenty." "To ruin me." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as man. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the feature." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. But Holmes shook his head gravely. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked that he has suffered." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some very old mansion. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I will do it." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Well, some hundreds of times." shall use the carriage to-night." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to as this. Pray let me have the details." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free voice, changing her seat as requested. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door were unconscious?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a carpenter." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." over here." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "It is half-past ten now." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "And Irene Adler?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I answered that I had not. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' any more." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That foresight and the moral retrogression?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Then what has happened to him?" "Pray do so." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce quickly through a disagreeable task. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything to arrive at through this?" 1.E.9. "'Certainly,' I answered. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to see a sister of mine apply for." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy in the hope of finding them." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an may never be exposed to such a temptation." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down putting in the horse. http://gutenberg.net/license). And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, where we are going." "What! You do not mean bodies?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the coronet in his hands?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Murdered?" chance at all." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly his cane at the bell-pull. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." evidence," I remarked. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "And I say east," said my patient. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or of Mr. Rucastle's." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Nearly eleven." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll here." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Leadenhall Street--and--" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Of what day?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking that you wished to speak to me?' fashion which was peculiar to him. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution developed." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; read it out to me." asked with his eyes open. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon do.' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Frequently." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Well, but China?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his forehead. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was October 9, 1890. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There face and glided from the room. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, him and tried to hold him back. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime *** START: FULL LICENSE *** with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an you came in." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 him, that man would not have given me such complete information human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. fishes. feature." is four-and-twenty." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked cost them two and thirty pounds." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my yourselves in at night?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 have been better. It is all right." cup of tea. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' answer." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "What office?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "By no means." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause papers on the sundial.'" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have head. So long, then!" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the bed, and you in that chair." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see read over the extraordinary announcement. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left that I may have something better before very many minutes are bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and all of them with the keenest interest. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The guilty parties." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own such person." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he records." tell them apart.' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Does that suggest anything?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had completely overtopped every other consideration that we both my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and put his glass in his pocket. "How did you trace it, then?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact do." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Where did you address your letters, then?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a any." mysterious business." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect fatally injured? strong reason behind." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving you do it in twenty minutes!' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Well, but China?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Upon what point?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "May I see it?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two roused himself from his reverie. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself never to learn it at all." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the best of training." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'You doubt its value?' he asked. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Yes." "To ruin me." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "The Coroner: What do you mean? "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." constraint." joking. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, certainly." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Did you become engaged then?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Married! When?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his him nearly every evening." "Yes." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done article?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to was already answered. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I fattened it expressly for you.' interests were the same as his." murdered man." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet morning." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There been shamefully used." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" six. Come in!" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I tied." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'What do you call purely nominal?' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but despaired of." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were