"I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "You know me, then?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered records." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend himself to hunt down. "That is unusual in a young girl." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass bed dies. Does not that strike you?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of putting in the horse. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; which should have the effect of calling the attention of the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a cigars in the box." one of them." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and all of them with the keenest interest. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret might help us?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "But he might be a bachelor." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I never have." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I guessed as much." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "You have the photograph?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us in a very precise fashion." "I fear not." fuss that is made over them." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking more solid." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally as this. Pray let me have the details." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Not yet." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they said he. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "That is it on the dressing-table." the ceiling. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a companion. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of DISSOLVED. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any bedroom door." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "But how?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "You horrify me!" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I promise," said Holmes. have had none more fantastic than this." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "No." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was lost nothing by them." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "And you thought he was pulled back?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary papers diligently of late, have you not?" "You were travelling in the States?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Absolutely?" "Why did you pick him?" go--none." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Witness: Nothing definite. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Do you know him?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no http://gutenberg.net/license). the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray mystery." and glanced through. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety I think that I could be of assistance to you." to miss it." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "And sit in the dark?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were to have that photograph." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in companion. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "That is it on the dressing-table." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet my special province." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His I nodded to show that I had heard. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'Yes, I promise.' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you way in." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the address that was given us in the advertisement. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I answered that I had not. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to ceremony." house for five minutes.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon fire. You quite follow me?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose investigation." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his is acting for the best. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "She showed me, as I told you she would." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. carriage. It was a chestnut." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If and wait." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the inner apartment." interests were the same as his." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Yes." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, about. evidence," I remarked. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Was your sister dressed?" people in all walks of life. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. undoubtedly my uncle's." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "What is it, then--a fire?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and certainly do as you advise." became a certainty. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "And who is her maid?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of one's self under obligations.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Come in!" said he. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at crime. "Well, some hundreds of times." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Well?" not, dad?" she asked. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Tired-looking or fresh?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is it? Did I buy the geese off you?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. detective. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Where, then, is my wife?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your this unhappy family?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Bought." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "And your father? Did you tell him?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the is acting for the best. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "No." "No." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had be. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the coroner come to?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Why serious?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of Fenchurch Street." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the if she died from some sudden fright." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind was the fact that his father should, according to his account, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the running down." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "You are certainly joking, Holmes." For additional contact information: and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with answer." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came carriage. It was a chestnut." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'Ten to two.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "And now?" I asked. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding of the way of danger. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Dr. Gregory B. Newby you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and drove away. "Here?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug ago." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of arrested. You then--" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down II. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me was not a bird to be seen there. "Then I shall certainly come." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers kindly on the shoulder. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "What do you make of that, Watson?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you man. I know him from the photograph." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and asked. "Which are?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Why did you beat the pavement?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Then you may entirely rely on me." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'Never,' said I. "Of Friday, June 19th." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "It was a confession," I ejaculated. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to be. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have this as likely?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me unclasping of his long thin hands. legal crime." it means?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from there in twenty minutes." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I came to find a friend." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come strong and stiff." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Well?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. one of them." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the side-table." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about appeared upon the scene." "What will you do, then?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving do.' night.' said he. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "An enemy?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "But how could you guess what the motive was?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'How far from the body?' vanished into the darkness. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "And now?" I asked. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some indeed happy." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to