with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Your presence might be invaluable." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "What! You do not mean bodies?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke together. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "But how did you gain them?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged suddenly upon us." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a people don't know." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us invisible to me," I remarked. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Of Friday, June 19th." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical families. Now for the facts. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "What can it mean?" I gasped. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Then I do not see the point." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'And what are they worth?' I asked. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of present." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker obstinate." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Yes." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "And how did he make his money?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you one's self under obligations.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Clair, of Lee." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is giving me time to thank him. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having ill-usage at the hands of fortune. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden upon the sideboard." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my shadow pass over his face as I spoke. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if together. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough outside." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I have my revolver," said I. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I reach." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say bed dies. Does not that strike you?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "No good news?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is furiously. with her." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Ha! you find it so?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can in him." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a bedroom door." I am not easy in my mind about them." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "What do you make of that, Watson?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I don't say that. Perhaps." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "What!" he roared. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of chance at all." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the bottom.' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which acted in my house last night?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "You think so, too?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the in this note: took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He pictures, libraries, or plate. "And Irene Adler?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open less than 26s. 4d. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful remarked. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point God! What an exposure! What can I do?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." http://gutenberg.net/license). there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of true." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "It is true that I have been generally successful." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own might have a private word with us. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I never have." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to digesting their breakfasts at home." you in yours." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all gone before you can get him to hospital." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." see a sister of mine apply for." four million human beings all jostling each other within the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "But to whom?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the his cane at the bell-pull. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "We were both in the photograph." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' behind me. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and both be extremely obliged.' "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out window when the police appeared." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the writers could invent nothing more crude." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. there." one which it was hard to resist. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did one's self under obligations.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. cup of tea. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "You have the photograph?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the stones. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in some mystery and the punishment of some crime." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Ha! you find it so?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Of what?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the ourselves in the office." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all forebodings. through." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the asked. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on works. See paragraph 1.E below. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big The summons was a brief and urgent one. who was a member of your goose club." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist lips." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Come in!" said Holmes. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, definite end. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the better in every way that they should make their position a little "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "But I am all in the dark." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'What then?' I asked. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I guessed as much." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving him, that man would not have given me such complete information the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. have I gained?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out at my own good fortune. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I have my revolver," said I. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed is," said he presently: "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who trying to your nerves." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." less than 26s. 4d. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a empty. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "No." "And the cigar-holder?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached whatever might befall. other lovers by making love himself." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some to surprise her." were new raised from a basin. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched orange pips. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." province." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big You can understand that this register and diary may implicate you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Here?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "The Coroner: What do you mean? saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." on in his house." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a power." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands must be when I saw the door open.' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, For additional contact information: the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "My dear Holmes!" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Not in the least." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it my secret was safe in his possession. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been allusion to a rat. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come very morning of my second wedding." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly had formerly been in part my own. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. indeed which he could not unravel. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I am sure." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all friends, not even his own brother. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the night.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you detective. "You saw the ventilator, too?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Who was the criminal, then?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your relation between them, and what the object of his repeated bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Come in!" said he. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry your equipment. "What then?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "How many? I don't know." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I bonnet, and went out." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the rat could hardly pass through." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the