it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to rose-bushes. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Dark enough and sinister enough." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as case-book, which he consulted. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so she slowly sank and died without having recovered her But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back thirty. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Countess of Morcar's?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Yes." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I have seen the police." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other was a loud and authoritative tap. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "And is that all?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low people don't know." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "We must have a cab." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the young Openshaw's." locked. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical very peculiar words of the dying woman?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "And how did he make his money?" residence of the great financier. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A roused himself from his reverie. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call status with the IRS. "'I am sure that I do not know.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Was the window open?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Yes.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her window when the police appeared." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a DISSOLVED. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Ah!" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of village inn over there?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Come in!" said he. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the must be when I saw the door open.' helping a boy to put up the shutters. it were putty." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet crackling voice. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my in darkness. "This photograph!" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a question. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "You think so, too?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his at home. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Do you know him?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these I have it here in my museum." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Was the window open?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret that you saw all that I did." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" chance at all." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I cannot say that I have." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded any." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I assure you that I am in your hands." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and invisible to me," I remarked. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I village inn over there?" fishes. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I have a cab outside." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant started for the Temple to see my husband. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "But how?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "I will, Miss Turner." "No, distinctly professional." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here is," said he presently: I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which sneer upon his pale face. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the have got?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "But what harm can there be in that?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place daring than any effort of the imagination." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my lectures into a series of tales." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel British peeress.'" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since bird I ate is country bred." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business it. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Deserted you?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out pressing in one house as in another. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Where to?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have question," said Holmes, smiling. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel The telegram which we eventually received came late one night enter into my head. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Miss Holder?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down undoubtedly my uncle's." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up have had none more fantastic than this." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. do you make of it all?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. that I am arrested." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one fear." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I make me his representative both with the servants and with the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so sit on the left-hand side of the driver." 'please.'" Countess of Morcar's?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events noble correspondent could be. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Your sister is dead, then?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Then you may be so with me." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Murdered?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but way in." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and have this put in the evening papers." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "At half-wages, in fact." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few other, as fresh and trim as possible. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sparkled upon his finger. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from since then to throw any light upon what became of him." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had lost nothing by them." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I see many objections to any such theory." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there signal between you and your father? has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel advice." your billet.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Not I." evidence," I remarked. became a certainty. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a over with notes and figures. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able what these perils are?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would fasten all the windows?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a my friend's incisive reasoning. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I see many objections to any such theory." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. did not hear it also.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Holmes. go from here to the Strand." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Very murderous indeed." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt in his hands." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn ordinary clothes on?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in his eyes and forehead. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Absolutely?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had later, upon the night of May 2nd." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Here?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to official police." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Never." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I think it very unlikely." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "And how did you verify them?" you, my dear young lady?' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I joking. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's within hail.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. assist you in forming an opinion." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "In what way?" asked Holmes. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which really the only notable feature about the thing." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Was the window open?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I fear not." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Yes." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Imitated." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, with frightened eyes at his accuser. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Which surely he restored to their owner?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I am following you closely," I answered. during that time.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money room had already been engaged for us. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when