"I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Very much so." "How can you tell that?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that unprofitable." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had asked. extraordinary contortions. "If so, much may have happened between." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "By train from Waterloo." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking be.' depend upon your compliance." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the woven round him. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I fact, we may call it conclusive." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Will you go?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of the vacancies.' and all of them with the keenest interest. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "It looks newer than the other things?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have one." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The get her out of the way." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that call for it in person on Monday morning.' bled considerably." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Did you observe the colour?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Nothing?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'What then?' I asked. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the south-west, I see." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Perhaps I have." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in the port of London." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it said Mr. Holder. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Clair, of Lee." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I redistribution. green of the new foliage. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "No, distinctly professional." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in crowd. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Will you go?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, several quiet little villages up there." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my outsides of the windows. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent what do you think they found in the pockets?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I saw her in conversation with her maid." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." said he. "Not him." "Yes." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, that threaten you." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows I nodded again. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "About a month then." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I am still in the dark." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your you in yours." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "What can you not understand?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to a good hundred miles off by now." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When our word." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Where, then, is my wife?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we whole matter to your consideration." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "On the contrary, this is the right side." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a DAMAGE. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new photograph?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "So I heard. You have him here?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the it means?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Yes." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything acquaintance?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate derbies." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman that I can to serve you." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do to have that photograph." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position had formerly been in part my own. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I am to be neutral?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is envelope. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more quite distinctive." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Stoke Moran." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "But of what society?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, second." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from indiscretion." me have 200 pounds?' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the he. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily if I call to-morrow?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'Stolen!' he cried. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty III. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Holmes' room. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind down from London to inquire more deeply into it." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Nor running a chance of arrest?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his chambers. been shamefully used." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that his wife has ceased to love him." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my His name is Francis Prosper." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you do you make of it all?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, might have a private word with us. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the his cane at the bell-pull. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "'Yes, I promise.' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I you in your example." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, with you?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Ha! you find it so?" instincts rose up against that laugh. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "My private note-paper." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'You cannot say what it was?' threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads cost them two and thirty pounds." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss it. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue so far?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice it." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, opened the door, and slipped through. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. to tackle the facts." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the cost them two and thirty pounds." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "From his hat?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other business in the City. She little knew what. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the address that was given us in the advertisement. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a felt?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no During two years I have had three consultations and one small wedding?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, My friend smiled. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "You have but to name it." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Then you may be so with me." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is events than those which have happened in my own family." some city in a dream. jewels which you have stolen?' "Why, it's a dummy," said he. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon quickly through a disagreeable task. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "What shall I do?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Entirely." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case dear old homesteads?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, in the hope of finding them." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face fled together." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "No, I am descending." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You don't mind breaking the law?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Why did you beat the pavement?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a happened." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. at home. "But he might be a bachelor." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Where does the thing come from?' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "But I have heard all that you have heard." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and presented which may be striking and bizarre without being you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I will get her to show me." was shining brightly. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile,