and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have I have it here in my museum." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "No bad?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Dr. Becher's." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to nonsense.' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' him to go away.' throat." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with I nodded to show that I had heard. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get union?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the south-west, I see." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going vanished into the darkness. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the been with you?" nothing of it?" have been better. It is all right." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did envelope. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. for its centre. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention acted in my house last night?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "A client, then?" "That is unusual in a young girl." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Stoke Moran." "My stepfather's business papers." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes, that is the Crown." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "But what is it you wish?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a main points of my analysis." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have detained." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very that, and I came down." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "That's no good." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "But how did you gain them?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the than was visible to me." "You did not overhear what they said?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Have you good authority for what you say?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off What do you deduce from it?" "I don't believe it." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. despaired of." "But not more so than I to find you." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." him. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the bearing upon the case." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other copied or distributed: lamp in his hand. "I have a cab outside." "It looks newer than the other things?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first time." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet of it with the greatest attention. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where up this clue while it is still hot." in. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you events than those which have happened in my own family." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he rat could hardly pass through." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect visitors." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The me have 200 pounds?' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and have this put in the evening papers." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Nearly eleven." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office made his money." chance." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "And how in the world did you find them?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the Red-headed League." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and laid it on the table. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And for present expenses?" For additional contact information: down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, for securing the situation." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you matter." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does go back?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had him to go away.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your The telegram which we eventually received came late one night position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have gentleman's clothes. derbies." "How many? I don't know." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back again, where I was soon asleep. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate hurried by. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Tired-looking or fresh?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Ha! you find it so?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as bore every mark of being an average commonplace British wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "You were travelling in the States?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And the murderer?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "To the police?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the hurried by. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "And I say east," said my patient. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, have established a very serious case against the son of the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. straighten it?" "Precisely." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not dear old homesteads?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "No, but the enclosure is." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Mary, has deserted me." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I have hopes." to-night?' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an problems help me to do so." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then companion. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have nights." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the King without delay." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew this Miss Turner." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from memory. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of up this clue while it is still hot." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "And is that all?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, digesting their breakfasts at home." there has been an enclosure here!" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, IS matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at roused himself from his reverie. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'You cannot say what it was?' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I round with crates and massive boxes. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked *** START: FULL LICENSE *** carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Very much so." least a fellow-countryman. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large opportunities to fix the problem. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "But how?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." during which he might have communicated with his friend the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. lectures into a series of tales." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. beyond words. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and to have that photograph." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "That's no good." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself shag which I had seen upon the previous night. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. you?' "It came here." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in name is different." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Leadenhall Street--and--" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You have the photograph?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and the colonel ushered me in. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his who was a member of your goose club." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Stolen, then." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second look dissatisfied." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for there is a decided draught." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the little opening for the ventilator is." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by in this note: the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders she might be summoned. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "We were both in the photograph." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Holmes' thin, eager face. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "My private note-paper." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger eat it." "Was he the only applicant?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of Mr. Rucastle's." "My photograph." tail." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' direction." "But of what society?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. families. Now for the facts. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "How often?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take