she slowly sank and died without having recovered her emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I am sure." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out telegram would bring me down to your help." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up money should be paid at once.' dates and names. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Then you may entirely rely on me." hand, madam?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in in this way: chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets fatally injured? set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always impression behind it as though a window had gently closed to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled nothing with him." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, this unhappy family?" words came to my lips. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, to you." the Red-headed League." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the stones. "You think that he is dead?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I orange pips. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed closely." you." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then there!' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up he bowed and left the room without another word. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I was sure that I might rely on you." John Swain, of St. Augustine. present." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a wanted for ourselves." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you considering the formidable letters which were received by himself my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly is four-and-twenty." "'Quite sure, dad.' not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "A client, then?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "But who is he?" excitement. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Certainly, madam." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a happened." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out voice, changing her seat as requested. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own infinite languor in his face. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of not within a twentieth part of the market price." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of charge against him will break down." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the station." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "No sign of it?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the them?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in to affect your life." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the house with me." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return you in your example." tied." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. disappearance of the bride.'" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Why? What do you mean?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, into the room. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, beyond words. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." delirious. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I have it here in my museum." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the disturbance in my wife." approach us with offers to donate. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in everything which you would wish to know." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "And help." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary completely overtopped every other consideration that we both ready to-morrow?' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and standing smiling on the door-step. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no cost them two and thirty pounds." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Here?" wall." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to upon the white wrist. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Well, but China?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'Why that?' I asks. "'What, the red-headed man?' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Who was the criminal, then?" "Yes, it was twisted." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I will get her to show me." "Your presence might be invaluable." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "And now?" I asked. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect society." "Yes, only one." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the may have an influence upon European history." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the if only as a check to my own memory." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "And now?" He raised his hand. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be bare slabs of marble. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick anything to do with the matter?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant figure." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Quite so. She has her freedom." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several galvanised. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Well, it is a possible supposition." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from disappearance of these gems?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Where to?' asked. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man chair. "The rest you will leave in our hands." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he neither fascinating nor artistic." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "And how?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather sit on the left-hand side of the driver." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; are windows in it, of course?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "But how will you look?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the coronet at all injured?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which is entirely a question of barometric pressure." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "He is dead," cried several voices. compunction about shooting them down." long narrative. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I have solved it." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "He is still with you, I presume?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the so-precious time, but come!' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in unkempt, staring out at me. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which been." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt anything to do with the matter?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Will you bet, then?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Stolen, then." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Witness: It was. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the shall use the carriage to-night." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond has little to do with my story." "Very. But will he see it?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Farm upon the left." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "You are hungry," I remarked. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried it." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to him nearly every evening." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Precisely." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent leave you to your papers for a little." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I have seen the police." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric are, and they are waiting for us." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are This is what he says: building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the house with me." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked present." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage know what is wrong with it.' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Then you may entirely rely on me." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length handed it to him. "On Monday." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be room had already been engaged for us. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "In which, sir?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two my special province." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that strength of mind to control. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not that you saw all that I did." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "And why in hopes?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, once more. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I shall be delighted." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'How far from the body?' "Stolen." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you locked. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the devil!" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, himself. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your go back?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have one or two very singular points about this room. For example, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your