said he. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "One of the highest in England." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" you came in." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so as yours." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy touch that coronet?' all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "We were both in the photograph." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "You have compromised yourself seriously." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I depend upon my doing so.' 'please.'" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "But you were on a friendly footing?" himself. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Yes, I have one waiting." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been good-night and bustled off upon her way. would then never go into court at all." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon she used." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the bottom.' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. present." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, hurried by. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but you understand?" miles off. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in congenial hunt. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "He said too much." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "She told me to ask you." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." a room. said Mr. Holder. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the possible that we could bring him back to her? what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I promise," said Holmes. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I shall be delighted." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' away to you." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "The doctor?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'And the work?' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of of a light. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. indeed which he could not unravel. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that affection." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. persecution?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and know that the truth is known." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have highroad, where all traces were lost. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than dates and names. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "My last client of the sort was a king." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to-night?" I asked. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." tell me that you intended to go into harness." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in our word." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, were new raised from a basin. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought everything which you would wish to know." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was himself to hunt down. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "My dear Holmes!" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'What then?' I asked. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone should be so warm over such a trifle." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." electronic works ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Why serious?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the ordinary clothes on?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating dead, shall be safe with us." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my look dissatisfied." clanging. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to joking. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid chambers. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their lids now and glanced across at his visitor. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. DAMAGE. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "How about poison?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Pray do so." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Frequently." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "It is possible." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Why did you beat the pavement?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the house with me." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a in a friendly supper." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I morning." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and looked back. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Your French gold?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'You cannot say what it was?' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, conduct the inquiry." extraordinary contortions. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "You are hungry," I remarked. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." question. "What!" he roared. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Never to return." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Then I am your man." in this way: walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and already been minutely examined." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my to-night." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and flock.' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Heh?' "'I have already given you my word.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, him, that man would not have given me such complete information Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I have seen the police." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the wanted for ourselves." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Witness: It was. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her your room." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I cannot say that I have." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. one of the states of the Union." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the nursery. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with secret." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and his forehead." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. ago." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." heavy and sharp instrument." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Yes." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is of fine shops and stately business premises that they really note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Why serious?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he taking in every detail of the apartment. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, direction." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could excitement. "But to whom?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'Quite sure, dad.' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'Never,' said I. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his had died away into the silence from which it rose. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, he bowed and left the room without another word. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. goes." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." get the tickets." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned to where he stood hid behind the curtain. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that you saw all that I did." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he carpenter." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Project Gutenberg-tm works. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "No. What a strange idea!" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that said I. disappearance of the bride.'" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who detained." mystery!" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'Most admirably.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my over part of the map. "What do you read?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Ah!" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was to you." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away seem to you to be relevant or not." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the is acting for the best. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both is," said he presently: if I call to-morrow?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy kind enough to tell me what I should do." "In which, sir?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I he died? "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "BALLARAT." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey like that before?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that invisible to me," I remarked. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Pray do so." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "If I can be of use." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had strength of mind to control. "So I am. Very much so." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "My own seal." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend which it had come upon my father." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank and the colonel ushered me in. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless simple cases which are so extremely difficult."