into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I sake, don't!" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I as he folded up the epistle. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Yes, from Horsham." present." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Proceed, then." it with his own hands." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the you in yours." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the three fields round his house, and there he would take his several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'What do you call purely nominal?' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel himself to hunt down. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" said Mr. Holder. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I in one or two places in England?' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "And what did you learn from him?" to-morrow." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "This concluded the examination of the witness." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a bled considerably." tightly behind him. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Yes, only one." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "On the contrary, this is the right side." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of note?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. footfalls from the street. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful which I could not give. He asked for Alice. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' fear." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Where did he live, then?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who crime. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "How did he come?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "And Miss Sutherland?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I coat-tails." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I open." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I don't believe it." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in chemical work which was so dear to him. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an that, and I came down." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "But what harm can there be in that?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled me. You must get home instantly and act." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, other means.' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, all-comprehensive glances. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'Then let me do so?' politicians who had been sent down from the North. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front your billet.' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred go back?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Pray do so." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS whereabouts. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Has he come with you to-night?" sneer upon his pale face. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, room?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would union?" 1.E.9. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he said I. where she found matters as described by the last witness. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a instincts rose up against that laugh. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big points to suicide?" the date of his supposed suicide." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. congratulate you again." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. generous with you in money matters.' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I do." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in case-book, which he consulted. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "You will not go there first?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange rooms." "No." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Nothing?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of already referred to. she to prove their authenticity?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. felt?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Yes?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with your equipment. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy interested in these little problems, and since you are good very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the nursery. "He disappeared so suddenly." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! wife's character?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the King without delay." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and inquire as to the address." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the Red-headed League." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would heavy and sharp instrument." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on hour?' "Perhaps I have." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Mary, has deserted me." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "No, I am descending." "But what harm can there be in that?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "There is the writing." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' just called myself is not exactly my own." breakfast." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton presume?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it fattened it expressly for you.' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "My stepfather's business papers." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Watson," he said cordially. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Then I shall certainly come." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "That sounds a little paradoxical." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Miss Holder?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "About a month then." your bag." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that your co-operation." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." name is different." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that success. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, go back?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring interest. They are important, you understand, without being bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'As governess?' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business taking in every detail of the apartment. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Street. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on question. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure What do you deduce from it?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but appeared upon the scene." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and my special province." time." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be maid will bring up your coffee." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, at home. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of your billet.' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose some place of shelter and let the county police know what has every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very congenial hunt. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. giving me time to thank him. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As may never be exposed to such a temptation." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent national property. I was determined that the law should have its 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera leaning back in his chair. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if bonnet, and went out." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were detective. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and my little problems." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands more terrible than the truth. "But what harm can there be in that?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and your relations to her." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the date of his supposed suicide." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the you." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Have you her photograph?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. acquaintance?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but