"Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be gone. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen problems help me to do so." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and galvanised. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence not fit the lock." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker residence of the great financier. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "And it is--" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and The King stared at him in amazement. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from morning." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the Friday. Was it to be in church?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, sparkled upon his finger. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may one of the states of the Union." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "In the cells." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "At the wedding breakfast." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "A confidential servant?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Then I can wait in the next room." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that friends, not even his own brother. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "None. Neville wrote those words." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, touch that coronet?' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "One of the highest in England." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "And Miss Sutherland?" Pool. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "My opinion is in no way altered." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number you for a few hours?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "When did it break out?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. could not have written that. It is the German who is so his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were characteristics, but those are the more obvious." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill of campaign. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet writers could invent nothing more crude." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I would give my fortune to have them back." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself for the market.' for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face corner of the building. gone before you can get him to hospital." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the congenial hunt. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "She told me to ask you." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I cannot say that I have." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and papers diligently of late, have you not?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Why, it's a dummy," said he. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I cannot tell." Literary Archive Foundation refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and cigar and let me expound." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Well?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My and a shock of very red hair. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" I am not easy in my mind about them." of them has the shutters up.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Seven!" I answered. Miss Holder?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with in him." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative straightened it out again. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Of what day?" said he. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "An enemy?" as this. Pray let me have the details." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the annoyance, but no jest. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" he. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and bearing upon the case." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her than to us. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though go from here to the Strand." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man ashen face. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and it need not interfere very much with one's other from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and distinguish the words: trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what are, and they are waiting for us." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the child." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler following enigmatical notices: it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it again, where I was soon asleep. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an answered with a sidelong glance. interest. They are important, you understand, without being to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were have accepted such a situation. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could everything which you would wish to know." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his hurried away. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "But you have hopes?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "What will you do, then?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I should like to see him very much." particular state visit http://pglaf.org bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without allusion to a rat. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Yes, sir." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. already been minutely examined." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I do." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "It missed him, then?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was straighten it?" stepfather?" awaited us upon the table. "That is easily got." awaited us upon the table. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." hopeless attempt at recovering them." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your himself to hunt down. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "My stepfather's business papers." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "But she will refuse." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "What! a murderous attack?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all look dissatisfied." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had article?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is right! Sit down and let us talk it over." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Holmes' room. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "It is no ordinary one." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As cost them two and thirty pounds." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of front of me. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting fluttered off among the others. one's self under obligations.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not prisoner's face. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Because he was handy and would come cheap." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have gentleman's clothes. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the stable lane now." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah photograph a cabinet?" them, and came down just as you departed. Watson," he said cordially. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to a little more before I quite committed myself. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and inquire as to the address." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally matters immensely." himself. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who present." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "No, but the enclosure is." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "The murder was done with it." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "No." himself to tell his story. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Then the page we have seen--" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I have solved it." crowd. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "My opinion is in no way altered." showing my impatience. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, was keenly on my guard against him. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that