he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'As governess?' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'Certainly,' I answered. desk. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but yet." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Yes, at the mines." "It is very kind of you." "Where is it, then?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in several quiet little villages up there." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed been able to understand it, in a very few words. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "But she will refuse." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us eat it." in. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San His name is Francis Prosper." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but he died? 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'Where to?' be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "By all means." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'Entirely.' gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" entirely lost his self-respect." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. look dissatisfied." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. confronted him. comes from the middle window." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Then he might have called to you?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for a very grave face. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to clanging. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Here?" the stones. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "What of the rat, then?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," happened." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when get the tickets." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly strength in the others." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "She told me to ask you." guilty parties." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did letters?" "Your presence might be invaluable." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all public press." the address that was given us in the advertisement. II. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in which was all perfectly true. a good hundred miles off by now." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' page at http://pglaf.org three of the beryls in it, was missing. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "They are typewritten," I remarked. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "A call for help, you thought?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt beg that you will break it off." had this final quarrel? lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." be there in time for your coming." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and a suggestive one." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. fluttered off among the others. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a then?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so yourselves in at night?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "And how did you verify them?" would apply.' "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his tell him that I know him to be innocent." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'And what salary do you ask?' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in. "And leave your case unfinished?" digesting their breakfasts at home." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "In answer to an advertisement." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "When did she vanish, then?" Miss Holder?" "And how have you succeeded?" it." "We must have a cab." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. sufficient punishment." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen morning." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram think that he is innocent?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, criminal. We have already had experience of such." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your gives a meaning to it." "What can it mean?" I gasped. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "What, then?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, back alive. confronted him. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "What! You do not mean bodies?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it and inquire as to the address." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the it right.' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless death." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in least a fellow-countryman. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the golden eyeglasses. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past danger is over." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. to you." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "It was." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." coroner's jury." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "You think so, too?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Certainly." garden below. "You will not go there first?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. village inn over there?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project future lives." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and capable of preserving a secret.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that tension within him. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I never have." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." have had none more fantastic than this." placed his cuttings. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have constraint." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a house for five minutes.' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just have been better. It is all right." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, floor. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Yes." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Certainly." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, standing smiling on the door-step. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "But you would not advise me to refuse?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a all that?" are, and they are waiting for us." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "But you would not advise me to refuse?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Mary, has deserted me." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a with the outside air!" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I will, Miss Turner." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had 11:15.' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this meant it for the best. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and in this note: his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first residence of the great financier. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. someone who had been in Australia." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or guilty one." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Yes, sir." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, there when the Rucastles went away." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down green of the new foliage. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards way in everything. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to you." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main God! What an exposure! What can I do?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily to that open window." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round generous with you in money matters.' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the stable lane now." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Here?"