"Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a have got?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Married! When?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "What do you mean?" "And leave your case unfinished?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "You know me, then?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "And now?" I asked. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, mysterious business." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to key turn in the lock." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Then how many are there?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady some place of shelter and let the county police know what has freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I cannot say that I have." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has would apply.' impression behind it as though a window had gently closed that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for wife's character?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" I nodded again. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings this Miss Turner." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was go back?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the child." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "And leave your case unfinished?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and files of the old papers, following the future career of every She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of indeed which he could not unravel. your only hope of safety." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the best of training." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united and a shock of very red hair. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Won't it ring?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 over here." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. to have been novel and of interest." papers." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." fasten all the windows?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every these bleak autumnal evenings." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "What shall I do?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to minor matters until to-morrow." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Sutherland?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it visitors." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the matter." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Yes, he did." "'Then let me do so?' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window a very grave face. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and no precautions can guard against." enough to aid us in our search." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of know all about it," he snarled. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic crackling voice. interests were the same as his." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "But what is it you wish?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a death." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Your French gold?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his them, and came down just as you departed. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the examine." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with silent! Oh, he will be silent!' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided telegram would bring me down to your help." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. to-night's adventure." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug corner of the building. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." learned something! Where are the gems?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Where to?' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I think it very unlikely." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See it with his own hands." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'What then?' I asked. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the to tackle the facts." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Here?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Foundation fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But suggested at once that there must be a communication between the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." copied or distributed: depend upon my doing so.' morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare is worth.' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Then I can wait in the next room." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It advice." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and status with the IRS. leave you to your papers for a little." the one as in the other." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been for the market.' "May I see it?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon said I. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and pictures, libraries, or plate. distinguish the words: married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "What do you make of that, Watson?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Holmes rather sternly. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "May I see it?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment friends, not even his own brother. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the salesman. "Not in the least." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the in. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case on in his house." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, my secret was safe in his possession. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of interested in these little problems, and since you are good ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which delirious. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great believe that I should never have any practice at all. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "'You cannot say what it was?' "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the friends, not even his own brother. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "There are none." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously in a very precise fashion." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, success. her also." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And occurred." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the loss of it. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "What! You do not mean bodies?" arrested. You then--" detained." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Is purely nominal.' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the with frightened eyes at his accuser. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Pray do so." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "What!" he roared. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Won't it ring?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good during which he might have communicated with his friend the examine." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' was not a bird to be seen there. advice." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of acquaintance?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and voice. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his must compliment you." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. detective. do.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the nonsense.' Holmes' thin, eager face. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and annoyance, but no jest. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with there is a decided draught." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in John Swain, of St. Augustine. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' footfalls from the street. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have thought that she would have been so carried away." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the that I can to serve you." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "But your client--" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to she might be summoned. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case fact, we may call it conclusive." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray not use it unless it is absolutely needed." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." or other trace. But how on earth--" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' sparkled upon his finger. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "His face fell immediately. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for just called myself is not exactly my own." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, way in everything. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these you, my dear young lady?'