"'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to leave you to your papers for a little." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. quick march!" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Oh, the cause is excellent!" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Of what?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "But what is it you wish?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I of his shoulders. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." ran thus: keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. would apply.' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Stolen, then." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It must be recovered." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, IS Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'Most admirably.' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to your bag." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "My photograph." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "No, my brougham is waiting." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for narrative." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Very truly yours, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is been deceived." Watson," he said cordially. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face strength." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Where to?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "But how will you look?" coat-tails." gigantic client. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "And how have you succeeded?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. go from here to the Strand." at my remark. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "An enemy?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the weapon." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Then how many are there?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the coronet in his hands?" "I fear not." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I know where it is." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "By no means." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'Yes, sir.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with noting anything else of interest. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your gone. man. I know him from the photograph." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second upon the shelf for the interim." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where characteristics, but those are the more obvious." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "But not more so than I to find you." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking mystery!" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite rose-bushes. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I promise," said Holmes. unprofitable." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" flock.' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open him and tried to hold him back. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" photograph a cabinet?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of the way of danger. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would be sorry for having acted so harshly." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. read it out to me." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble window when the police appeared." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we place, I think that there is good ground to think that the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "What have you done?" asked Holmes. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'Yes, sir.' hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and constraint." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Was the window open?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they any more." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the once more to my work. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'Not at all. I only doubt--' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Arthur Conan Doyle "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'Quite sure, dad.' the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Where, indeed?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. few hundred pounds.' round with crates and massive boxes. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the think that he is innocent?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was was it brought him the coronet? father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "And the murderer?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what forecastle of an emigrant ship. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the running down." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the little opening for the ventilator is." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." himself. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself jewels which you have stolen?' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither to change my dress. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was it means?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Foundation morning." not personally threatened." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." maiden herself was most instructive." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "How on earth--" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in villagers almost as much as their master. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." sooner or later she must fall a victim. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" heavy and sharp instrument." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little such person." once more for Briony Lodge. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "And who is her maid?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. that I can to serve you." forbidden door. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk answered with a sidelong glance. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a chambers. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe them present such singular features as the strange train of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim cigar and let me expound." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "That is not always so easy." held up the lantern and gazed about him. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "And sit in the dark?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as followed. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and fluttered off among the others. was used.' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Watson," he said cordially. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me figure." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "To ruin me." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. bonnet, and went out." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "At the wedding breakfast." "Is he quiet?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I him and tried to hold him back. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question unprofitable." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as never came back." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a straightened it out again. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "What I expected to see." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "And you don't know his address?" money should be paid at once.' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of this gang." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they know what is wrong with it.' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to surprise her." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his ways of our fellow-men." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin indiscretion." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their developed." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "What then?" like that before?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Which are?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken of fine shops and stately business premises that they really no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a a good hundred miles off by now." to a more successful conclusion." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You were travelling in the States?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort have one." prison!" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little