sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As with you alone." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I thin legs towards the fire. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute I think that I could be of assistance to you." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. as yours." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: shag which I had seen upon the previous night. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the your billet.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." shoulder; "he's all right." "Was he the only applicant?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without information in his hands the value of which he did not himself know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without sentimental considerations in the background which would induce terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked child?' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will woven round him. said he. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the kind enough to tell me what I should do." October 9, 1890. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me into the room. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** business." "Not in a good cause." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful figure." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "And I." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who dramatic, in fact." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "The landlord of the Alpha." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a residence of the great financier. "Witness: Nothing definite. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far James Windibank. Voilà tout!" morning." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "It is no ordinary one." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "No, I had a dozen." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the instituted." His name is Francis Prosper." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is have accepted such a situation. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. footfalls from the street. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'Never.' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "No, I had a dozen." assist you in forming an opinion." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this less than 26s. 4d. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, pictures, libraries, or plate. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid one of them." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my one or two very singular points about this room. For example, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here that he has suffered." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the tragedy. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these opportunities to fix the problem. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. companion quietly. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS pictures, libraries, or plate. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I have hopes." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to retorted upon me, and I on you." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short highly," said Holmes. Stoke Moran." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the Red-headed League." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "No bad?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and late!' generous with you in money matters.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such address. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to some other building. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." husband's writing, madam." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Well?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my did not hear it also.' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were window when the police appeared." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Why, what do you mean?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Will you go?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel success. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "The doctor?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The landlord of the Alpha." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be place no limit on the sum I may draw." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Holmes." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property that before taking the final step I should like to submit the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only upon the white wrist. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. married her." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a your only hope of safety." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger key turn in the lock." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I fatally injured? "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Only as much as we can deduce." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past conversation I have gathered that they have been married about ways of our fellow-men." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but fattened it expressly for you.' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your all?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Yes, I have one waiting." narrative." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The window when the police appeared." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired really the only notable feature about the thing." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' seven miles from Eyford Station.' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." that I can to serve you." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the ceiling. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or read over the extraordinary announcement. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or bachelor.' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left said he. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "How did he come?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some occupations.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "No, distinctly professional." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "They are typewritten," I remarked. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf electronic works There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, this as likely?" "And I to find an enemy." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for weighed down with some great anxiety. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the touch that coronet?' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a third from London." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year never will be, entirely cleared up. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking was already answered. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "That is easily got." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "It is his hat." everything which you would wish to know." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his if I call to-morrow?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes observed. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Eyford at 11:15.' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Holmes." rose-bushes. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name that he has suffered." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "What do you make of that, Watson?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a hurried away. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Lee, in the county of Kent." conduct the inquiry." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I hour?' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and charge against him will break down." "Yes, at the mines." Mary, has deserted me." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Frequently." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." it." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the more terrible than the truth. You want to know what became of those geese?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You persecution?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. constraint." a suggestive one." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when even so self-evident a thing as that." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to read over the extraordinary announcement. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately I shall communicate with you." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "There are none." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this in this way: "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my existence." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet conceal it?" in his hands." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is most interesting one." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm them, and came down just as you departed. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my that you wished to speak to me?' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Was there a secret marriage?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'You cannot say what it was?' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes.