although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. charge against him will break down." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "There is the writing." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Dirty?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Not at all. I only doubt--' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of national property. I was determined that the law should have its of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "And when will you call?" questioning and rather startled gaze. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon off." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend yet." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that threaten you." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the wife's character?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Yes, certainly." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, whole matter to your consideration." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming during the last few years, and there are many noble families to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much paper in the air. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a stalked out of the room. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "BALLARAT." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to interested in these little problems, and since you are good unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method leaning back in his chair. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official just ask you whether you had heard it.' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, populous neighbourhood." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily plantation.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Yes, he did." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, throat." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. helping a boy to put up the shutters. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I will get her to show me." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis test if we have an answer to our advertisement." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "And what did you see?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "How do you know, then?" there!' "Upon what point?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as flock.' attention." "And for present expenses?" conclusions. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us answered with a sidelong glance. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "But what is it you wish?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, this Miss Turner." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the works. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Then, how do you know?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge whole matter to your consideration." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I should wish to." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, photograph?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be relief. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you ceremony." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. if she died from some sudden fright." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the running down." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was words came to my lips. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you coat-tails." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name on re-entering her father's house?" of Fenchurch Street." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no chambers. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "That is not always so easy." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the inquest, and which are worth considering." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further upon the white wrist. that threaten you." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Deserted you?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both his face which made him a very different person to the round, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Come in!" said Holmes. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money in the port of London." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "That's no good." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "No, finished." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up acted in my house last night?" power." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you there." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. purpose equally well?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers meanly of me." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "If I can be of use." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "How on earth--" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "An enemy?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Your sister is dead, then?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the dangers which encompass me." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no my friend's incisive reasoning. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety once more on the important position which you have been fortunate brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could placed his cuttings. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Project Gutenberg-tm works. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the one as in the other." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I approached. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this purpose of examination. humiliation." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Cross for the Continent." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "The rest you will leave in our hands." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building locked." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "But how did you gain them?" hand, madam?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Your sister is dead, then?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I God! What an exposure! What can I do?" one which it was hard to resist. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I woven round him. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "That also I could fathom." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "And the cigar-holder?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. placed his cuttings. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual drove away. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "And when will you call?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three villagers almost as much as their master. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the assist you in forming an opinion." know all about it," he snarled. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales you give your casting vote to?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my she used." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'Oh, no.' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "But he might be a bachelor." to surprise her." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." foresight and the moral retrogression?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I cannot tell." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means For additional contact information: excitement. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else over his head with a sweet womanly caress. in this way: "You did not overhear what they said?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." upon the white wrist. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in lost nothing by them." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" mysterious end." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I was mad--insane." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite brain must have something in it." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my make me his representative both with the servants and with the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Street. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I His name is Francis Prosper." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Gutenberg-tm License. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Quite sure, dad.' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the it. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Proceed, then." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "But how could you guess what the motive was?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "What then?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our suspect him." and put his glass in his pocket. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked these bleak autumnal evenings." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "At the wedding breakfast." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning delighted to hear it," he said. eat it." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the ceiling. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and