if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. me upon any point which I do not make clear." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so to a light-house. "I do." stood on the top of it. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this suddenly upon us." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "By all means." for and were ordered to this address. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid that there was nothing in it, after all." "And why in hopes?" "Yes, he did." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "One of the highest in England." "I beg pardon." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope horse could go." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are ashen face. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and all of them with the keenest interest. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, door?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." crime. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." I nodded again. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Chief Executive and Director "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'There is a drive, then?' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I am following you closely," I answered. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the matter." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the voice, changing her seat as requested. business?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep cigars in the box." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Game for a morning drive?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, could gather together that I was able to avert another public whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Of what?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at walking." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I see no marks." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the any." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Young McCarthy must be got off, however." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. will not take me long to tell. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were tightly behind him. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs will be renamed. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker strode off upon his way. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I am not easy in my mind about them." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the he died? empty. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our his huge brown hands. "And I." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. chemical work which was so dear to him. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to his chemical studies. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining certainly do as you advise." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious depend upon your compliance." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of." "Who was the criminal, then?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door once more to my work. galvanised. "Stolen, then." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring to-night." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, he died? humiliation." companion imperturbably. as he folded up the epistle. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to closing the door. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion direction." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to have been novel and of interest." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while money should be paid at once.' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but mysterious business." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I was afraid that you were engaged." "But his left-handedness." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of society." like gravel from a pit.' Mary, has deserted me." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated promised to bring home. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" nonsense.' there is a decided draught." papers diligently of late, have you not?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, will he say when he returns?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square hopeless attempt at recovering them." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that arrested. You then--" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire he died? very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the highly," said Holmes. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A introspective fashion. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." made him keep the appointment." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "And how did you find out?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any sofa. This way, please!" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and have I gained?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers name is different." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the south, for the country is more deserted there." what these perils are?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "How did you deduce the select?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with entirely devoid of interest." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the side-table." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, interest. They are important, you understand, without being "And what did you see?" electronic works found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De article?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is him!" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four his forehead." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "We were both in the photograph." the morning and make my own way in the world.' wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I guessed as much." papers on the sundial.'" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he better grown goose." "Precisely so. But how--" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads tied." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss had formerly been in part my own. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the never came back." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening future lives." never came back." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been what these perils are?" "I think it very unlikely." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Not yet." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, where she found matters as described by the last witness. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, go back?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. an introduction to him?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one words came to my lips. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "It is true that I have been generally successful." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like least a fellow-countryman. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the south-west, I see." like gravel from a pit.' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. matter over." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we made his money." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Certainly." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." delighted to hear it," he said. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the must compliment you." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the devil!" from the brougham. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "An enemy?" written. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of congratulate you again." over with notes and figures. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining that threaten you." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off bell. Holmes whistled. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a never to learn it at all." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Never." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses your only hope of safety." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Ten will be early enough." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one are, I think, all that we need." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "What will you say?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I was sure that I might rely on you." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a purpose equally well?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "You saw the ventilator, too?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would said Mr. Holder. train.' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." so.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their said Mr. Holder. you." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my must be when I saw the door open.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. one or two very singular points about this room. For example,