"I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in God! What an exposure! What can I do?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It tear off another piece?' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'Ten to two.' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Will you bet, then?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such giving me time to thank him. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the salesman. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social which are rolled in Rotterdam." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew go from here to the Strand." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Where to?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of round and wave him away like that.' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the matter." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of quick march!" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should silent! Oh, he will be silent!' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Yes." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important October 9, 1890. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for are, I think, all that we need." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Holmes' room. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said success. "No?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you was already answered. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "'Where could I find him?' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." for the market.' was a lad." gbnewby@pglaf.org "Of what?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some morning." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." them?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our nonsense.' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the so-precious time, but come!' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he man. I know him from the photograph." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes, from Horsham." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small help us in this matter." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by three of the beryls in it, was missing. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted this man was intellectual?" power." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "But she could not love him." your co-operation." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the you." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, where she found matters as described by the last witness. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of father's young wife. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I see many objections to any such theory." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I don't believe it." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his was keenly on my guard against him. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two nothing of it?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed shoulder; "he's all right." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is lamp. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face in one or two places in England?' "What do you mean?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone definite end. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Ten will be early enough." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle as yours." miles off. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself absolutely follow my advice in every respect." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the my secret was safe in his possession. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is drove away. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "A call for help, you thought?" several quiet little villages up there." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after power." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped straightened it out again. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his License. You must require such a user to return or from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "No." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly read it out to me." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, washing it down with a long draught of water. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Certainly, madam." hour?' asked. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it was used.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well strong and stiff." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary bearing upon the case." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "So I am. Very much so." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'Quite sure, dad.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Yesterday." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with http://www.gutenberg.net with the outside air!" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. young Openshaw's." was a lad." "Stolen." "The King of Scandinavia." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which was the fact that his father should, according to his account, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and emerged. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were wedding?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, with her." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing unprecedented a position." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their writing, and yet I know it well." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of infinite languor in his face. answer." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange children over to America with him, so that I found myself without stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "What! You do not mean bodies?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic problems help me to do so." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual back into the street. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the plantation.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Then how many are there?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my have I gained?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that should be taken.' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two that, and I came down." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry annoyance, but no jest. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he as yours." despaired of." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue appointment with me for six o'clock?" "My dear Holmes!" forbidden door. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "That was it, sir." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed it." someone who had been in Australia." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer neither fascinating nor artistic." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately never will be, entirely cleared up. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his his forehead." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon secret." better in every way that they should make their position a little question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. in. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter to-night?' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "She told me to ask you." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the is four-and-twenty." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have any little problem which you may submit to me." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly have I gained?" over with notes and figures. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn some city in a dream. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. you." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Here?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest plantation.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "But his lameness?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "That's no good." attention." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only against a man in the prime of life?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I assure you that I am in your hands." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "By all means." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the suspect him." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It surprised me." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "And the murderer?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have