more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away handed it to him. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and go from here to the Strand." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Serpentine Avenue. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." retorted upon me, and I on you." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the was it brought him the coronet? metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove companion imperturbably. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Get out!" said he. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the station." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Witness: I must still refuse. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I cannot tell." child?' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "I have hopes." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Heh?' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I was afraid that you were engaged." coat-tails." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Is he quiet?" had this final quarrel? There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the weighed down with some great anxiety. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little brandy and water within his reach. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin may have an influence upon European history." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner gbnewby@pglaf.org "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and it need not interfere very much with one's other trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "How did that help you?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. if she died from some sudden fright." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Nothing?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and one of them." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to that, and I came down." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at four million human beings all jostling each other within the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "The gentleman I describe." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and were wasted." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "It is a murder, then?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. carpenter." "But we can't all be." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. helping a boy to put up the shutters. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler was shining brightly. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional wedding?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," figure." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation your equipment. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before would then never go into court at all." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "You are all wrong." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy know what is wrong with it.' straightened it out again. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "He said that you could solve anything." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "On the contrary, this is the right side." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears quickly through a disagreeable task. seem to you to be relevant or not." will he say when he returns?" DAMAGE. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I do." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm I shall communicate with you." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I what I may call a really hard day's work." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Heh?' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone morning." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting gone. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she tell them apart.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly allusion to a rat. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Well, some hundreds of times." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view man. I know him from the photograph." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not obstinate." "I cannot think." hand, madam?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to unprecedented a position." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." joking. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see outside." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. helping a boy to put up the shutters. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press that you wished to speak to me?' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" His smile broadened. back alive. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." that I may have something better before very many minutes are preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "She showed me, as I told you she would." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Quite so. She has her freedom." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "And I say east," said my patient. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of locked. "Yes, certainly." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the coronet in his hands?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Does that suggest anything?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'What then?' I asked. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Then how many are there?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home before the coroner and the police-court." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Look there!" said he. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were bird I ate is country bred." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, bears upon the case?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. ashen face. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Quite so." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "My own seal." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and files of the old papers, following the future career of every bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Always." not personally threatened." his grey eyes. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, prepare for the new role I have to play." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the salesman. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by I. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and capable of preserving a secret.' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may acquaintance?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the any." it means?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, instituted." "But you have hopes?" back alive. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Pope's Court. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he we went to search for him, face downward in a little skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of appointment with me for six o'clock?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "No sign of it?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the nice household for a young lady." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and files of the old papers, following the future career of every counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "How are you getting on?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and him." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there roused himself from his reverie. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be you." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a think that any burglar could have done. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "It is possible." Where does the thing come from?' at a side door. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is one of them." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless promised to bring home. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while seen the man in the road." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, he died? "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united 1.E.9. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it children over to America with him, so that I found myself without a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the tragedy. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me crime." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly http://gutenberg.net/license). the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom me have 200 pounds?' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his License. You must require such a user to return or Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the coronet at all injured?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Most admirably.' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same weary and pale-looking. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the it were putty." "None." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Which are?" open." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you him to go away.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Which are?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are