over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I fear not." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double made him keep the appointment." "Absolutely none." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Yes?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Not him." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "When did it break out?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "How often?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Yes, from Horsham." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "About a month then." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." up this clue while it is still hot." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this future lives." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "You did not overhear what they said?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was later, upon the night of May 2nd." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat your billet.' "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias house for five minutes.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is whereabouts. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in companion quietly. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and glanced through. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in his grey eyes. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It came here." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of showing my impatience. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came invisible to me," I remarked. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue a good hundred miles off by now." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'What are you doing there?' he asked. to surprise her." man. I know him from the photograph." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, shoulder. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting interests were the same as his." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Thank you. And your address?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' fuss that is made over them." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a one's self under obligations.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming future lives." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes, at the mines." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed The police have openly confessed that they can at present make black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Nothing." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor for the market.' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I see many objections to any such theory." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had John Swain, of St. Augustine. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have fire. You quite follow me?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project directors, with the result that you have seen." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. power." row." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to it. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. You want to know what became of those geese?" States. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "What of the rat, then?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "What I expected to see." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I arrangements." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I would give my fortune to have them back." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "The landlord of the Alpha." spark where all is dark to me." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Holmes' room. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied look upon these things in a different way." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, over here." was lame." "My photograph." the King without delay." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "The rest you will leave in our hands." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the date of his supposed suicide." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "But to whom?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "And how have you succeeded?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Where to?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it fashion which was peculiar to him. he bowed and left the room without another word. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." gone. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "It must be recovered." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do done what I asked you, Jones?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by companion quietly. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." meant it for the best. one of them." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Perhaps I have." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "It is possible." depend upon your compliance." have accepted such a situation. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I corner of the building. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. gbnewby@pglaf.org direction." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in been." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner six. Come in!" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who suddenly upon us." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was results." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the devil!" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the showing my impatience. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, lips." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that was a loud and authoritative tap. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but him and tried to hold him back. know what is wrong with it.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign directors have had misgivings upon the subject." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "By train from Waterloo." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "How are you getting on?" as yours." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of of the one which your family is now devouring." shaken than I had ever seen him. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'Ample.' wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the you in yours." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope even of instruction." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard way: he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. manager. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Was the window open?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" followed. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the house with me." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. guilty parties." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora a little more before I quite committed myself. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "But not more so than I to find you." to you." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I will not look." how narrow had been my escape. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. miles off. "Not social, then?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long have been better. It is all right." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it away into the river." done what I asked you, Jones?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf over here." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end one's self under obligations.' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with on in his house." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." nothing of it?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the stable lane now." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "And I say east," said my patient. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, to affect your life." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was was a perfect sample of the class. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. see a sister of mine apply for." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in second." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What disappearance of the bride.'" becomes even more simple." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Who was the criminal, then?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and