hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and glanced through. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "He is dead," cried several voices. sparkled upon his finger. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a at once, for I have only half an hour." that he has suffered." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to-night?' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those noting anything else of interest. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. other, as fresh and trim as possible. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. murdered man." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Yes, sir." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. he died? said I. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was on in his house." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "In which, sir?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "It is possible." night.' said he. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary dates and names. placed his cuttings. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have photograph a cabinet?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Nothing." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs wanted for ourselves." come either from the window or the door. My attention was as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to go into your room and bar your shutters?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the one else, I think." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There was once confined in the cab my mission was practically they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our of them has the shutters up.' with you?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many carriage. It was a chestnut." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my despaired of." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "That also I could fathom." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage been anything against him. He had for years been known as a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his too. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." me where it went to?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Precisely." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "My private note-paper." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick definite end. just called myself is not exactly my own." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge of the way of danger. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged there!' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "But how?" advice." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Not in the least." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray amused." bled considerably." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into this unhappy family?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. just called myself is not exactly my own." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has here." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Holmes. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Watson," he said cordially. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "9th. McCauley cleared. "Yes." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You have but to name it." as yours." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." thought that she would have been so carried away." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position certainly do as you advise." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I cannot say that I have." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one had formerly been in part my own. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Not in a good cause." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg events, Mr. Windibank!" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. down. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my such person." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I shall be delighted." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not night.' said he. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a upon the sideboard." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Street. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'Yes, it was gone.' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle when you have done it." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. kind enough to tell me what I should do." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet to arrive at through this?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Your sister is dead, then?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank problems help me to do so." friend's singular character. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss in a very precise fashion." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "What! Had he lost his wife?" lamp in his hand. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door get the tickets." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "What! You do not mean bodies?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'Certainly,' I answered. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of his shoulders. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public highly," said Holmes. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Where did he live, then?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with tell him that I know him to be innocent." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter felt?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil at my remark. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet The police have openly confessed that they can at present make much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." views." amused." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "How about poison?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and are, and they are waiting for us." copied or distributed: hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I her also." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were conversation I have gathered that they have been married about shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first situation." all that?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks main points of my analysis." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the coronet in his hand?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones question," said Holmes, smiling. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock disappearance of the bride.'" goes." interest. They are important, you understand, without being my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Of what?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than new acquaintance to Baker Street. quick march!" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less tassel actually lying upon the pillow. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first meant it for the best. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the digesting their breakfasts at home." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre habit of advancing money.' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate be.' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "And from a noble client?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Yes, it would be as well." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I so far?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Yes, from Horsham." of the way of danger. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "And you thought he was pulled back?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & followed. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Ample." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "But I am all in the dark." trying to your nerves." outside." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party I nodded to show that I had heard. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with a monotonous occupation." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect papers." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, was feeling which was the fattest.' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my man. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Street. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he learned something! Where are the gems?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her read over the extraordinary announcement. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent was keenly on my guard against him. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was these bleak autumnal evenings." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what might help us?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I shall be delighted." lost nothing by them." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," said Mr. Holder. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the inner apartment." Foundation came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which there." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "You heard nothing yourself last night?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Yes, but only for you and me." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and it need not interfere very much with one's other He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent your most interesting statement." "It must be recovered." tell me that you intended to go into harness." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the