following enigmatical notices: fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "My opinion is in no way altered." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Really! You surprise me." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country rat could hardly pass through." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with very old mansion. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at his huge brown hands. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'Most admirably.' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight have been better. It is all right." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and wait." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Dark enough and sinister enough." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" away into the river." "Where, then, is my wife?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. will he say when he returns?" charged with?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked where we are going." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian chambers. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "She will not sell." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the he died? 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I have it here in my museum." leave you to your papers for a little." "It certainly sounds feasible." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and formed some opinion?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell round with crates and massive boxes. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and the church but not where the lady lived." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "You think so, too?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or your only hope of safety." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood quickly through a disagreeable task. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself look dissatisfied." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "But I am all in the dark." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each train from Paddington which would bring you there at about remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very through." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the warnings." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "How can you tell that?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of little adventures." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I should be immensely obliged to you." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a straightened it out again. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of bedroom door." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else down from London to inquire more deeply into it." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty it." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and prisoner's face. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far characteristics, but those are the more obvious." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and 'please.'" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of of your young ladies.' occurred." of the vacancies.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Holmes' face clouded over. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at into the bag, and made for the door. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "It is no ordinary one." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." may have an influence upon European history." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done just ask you whether you had heard it.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond note?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four past. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a unkempt, staring out at me. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable American. Then who could this American be, and why should he endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, bell. Holmes whistled. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows side. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, little adventures." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. empty. "And is that all?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "That also I could fathom." "To an end?" chamber." "She will not sell." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to surprise her." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or exactly what you advise." outside. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "What of the rat, then?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her yourselves in at night?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "There is the writing." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias rooms." copied or distributed: secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Yes, certainly." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more may have an influence upon European history." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into on re-entering her father's house?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Literary Archive Foundation to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At and the whole place is in a blaze." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is one which it was hard to resist. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was few hundred pounds.' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps mystery!" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "And Miss Sutherland?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "But it has twice been burgled." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a should be so warm over such a trifle." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And questioning and rather startled gaze. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "My dear Holmes!" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "The vanishing of the lady." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler keep the flames under. the Assizes." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand purpose equally well?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has simple cases which are so extremely difficult." was not a bird to be seen there. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his said I. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "And now?" He raised his hand. "'Certainly,' I answered. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any be. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "One of the highest in England." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a newspaper selections." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that and effective." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the them?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. already been minutely examined." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "What will you do, then?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "But his left-handedness." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Not social, then?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Perhaps I have." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Then he might have called to you?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to that open window." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away salesman. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be existence." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Surrey." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at annoyance, but no jest. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest despair." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the you." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. obstinate." to-night." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "She told me to ask you." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "To ruin me." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." fait accompli?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your call you and give you the chance." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the The events in question occurred in the early days of my demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had The police have openly confessed that they can at present make from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over with frightened eyes at his accuser. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, married her." him, that man would not have given me such complete information in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed important." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "No." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay you." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which entirely lost his self-respect." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'About the same.' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure 1.E.9. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "What?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Yes." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Breckinridge is his name." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern there when the Rucastles went away." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long recall any case within my experience which looked at the first of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." shaken than I had ever seen him. point in the dark hollow of his hand. "What then?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Clair, of Lee." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My had died away into the silence from which it rose. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Yes, I have one waiting." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'Yes.' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he weary and pale-looking. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "How did he come?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic wall." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "And you don't know his address?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. a suggestive one." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the place no limit on the sum I may draw." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Why did you pick him?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Whose house is it?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door."