impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden night.' said he. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. behind me. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "And help." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was manager. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "And how did he make his money?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched jewels which you have stolen?' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way your only hope of safety." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. secret." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was felt?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with pity, because in other respects you would really have done very purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that where Mr. Fordham shows you.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I have a cab outside." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith means taking possession of that which another person has a prior boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the you?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "This concluded the examination of the witness." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a allusion to a rat. to Leatherhead. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Eyford." delirious. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and to-night." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was morning." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt served to weaken the effect. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and prisoner's face. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife American. Then who could this American be, and why should he that he has suffered." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." guilty parties." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "And now?" He raised his hand. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a security.' these bleak autumnal evenings." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I do." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'I have already given you my word.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special His name is Francis Prosper." said he. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been without a word or a look. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I throat." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to His name is Francis Prosper." which it had come upon my father." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Absolutely none." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. developed." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young seem to you to be relevant or not." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "What do you mean?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Sutherland. opportunities to fix the problem. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Her father is very rich?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "How can you tell that?" persecution?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between have been better. It is all right." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, lost his Christmas dinner." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to row." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet is now desirous of getting those letters back." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer visitors." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "What do you mean?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to tackle the facts." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the together. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid when your master had gone out." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, tell them apart.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he help us in this matter." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations round and wave him away like that.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little past. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'Then let me do so?' could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend over his head with a sweet womanly caress. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. you?" bare slabs of marble. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "That's no good." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to your Highness to the police-station?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." ordinary clothes on?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Sholtos." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I do.' were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I don't say that. Perhaps." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. will take you up to see the machine.' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The at my own good fortune. him!" of the one which your family is now devouring." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Clair, of Lee." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a forehead. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "But your client--" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in chance at all." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Yes." Arthur Conan Doyle "A call for help, you thought?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "And the murderer?" not, dad?" she asked. what is your own theory as to what took place?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the woman." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and in him." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed once more on the important position which you have been fortunate connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had three of the beryls in it, was missing. your equipment. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "By no means." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible served to weaken the effect. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "An enemy?" "And I." "From his hat?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all gone. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "A thing like a cleaver," said he. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace an introduction to him?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Oh, fresh and glossy." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to thin legs towards the fire. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the little opening for the ventilator is." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You 1.F. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Thank you. Pray proceed." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Certainly." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he meanly of me." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Pray continue your narrative." "Never." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should man. I know him from the photograph." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these have got?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Pool. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who public press." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Here?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Which surely he restored to their owner?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" it were putty." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his might help us?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not golden eyeglasses. me have 200 pounds?' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. your billet.' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the despair." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "You know me, then?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a point in the dark hollow of his hand. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of jewels which you have stolen?' how narrow had been my escape. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just asked. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yes, certainly." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "It missed him, then?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. best detective that ever lived. "'Yes.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand said I. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I answered that I had not. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to nice household for a young lady." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. strength of mind to control. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully possible that we could bring him back to her? Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Very. But will he see it?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the in darkness. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the