in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "But what will you do?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to already been minutely examined." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray fattened it expressly for you.' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the him." death." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a made his money." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his weary and pale-looking. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "And your father? Did you tell him?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the wife's character?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker anything to do with the matter?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope four million human beings all jostling each other within the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the side-table." and a shock of very red hair. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her you do it in twenty minutes!' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a call you and give you the chance." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Yes, from Horsham." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to take care of herself." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." ran thus: stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite a monotonous occupation." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident business." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began fuss that is made over them." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor he died? misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the business?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "He might." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: there has been an enclosure here!" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and to-night's adventure." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. some terrible trap for her." "You will not go there first?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of papers." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on foresight and the moral retrogression?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the so-precious time, but come!' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I arms and began to sob in a high treble key. drawing your inferences." fishes. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call shag which I had seen upon the previous night. went to the Alpha were town bred." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge wanted for ourselves." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, wedding?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Again Holmes raved in the air. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," words came to my lips. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Yes." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one completely overtopped every other consideration that we both that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." The King stared at him in amazement. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan views." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the he died? conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "What will you do, then?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at secret." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman case-book, which he consulted. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but certainly not very gracious." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Holmes' room. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. opportunities to fix the problem. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The my former friend and companion. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after voice. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He weighed down with some great anxiety. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a pound a week." "Why did you pick him?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the child?' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which you in your example." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and them?" back to my heart. that, and I came down." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Yes." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be clanging. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, about. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Yes, at the mines." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Sutherland. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement for its centre. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "It is solved." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "And what then?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there felt the room to be a little close.' "It certainly sounds feasible." to miss it." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain your own bird, so if you wish--" "'And the work?' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Perhaps I have." me upon any point which I do not make clear." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Street. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried six. Come in!" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new rooms." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who held up the lantern and gazed about him. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. danger is over." security.' chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put question," said Holmes, smiling. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Whose house is it?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "How often?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and attention." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but delighted to hear it," he said. promised to bring home. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll delirious. like gravel from a pit.' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Upon what point?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Then I can wait in the next room." nice household for a young lady." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "It is a murder, then?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'Never,' said I. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Then I can wait in the next room." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Project Gutenberg-tm works. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Yes, sir." you do it in twenty minutes!' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Your French gold?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for leave you to your papers for a little." bonnet, and went out." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'In my own bureau.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather charged with?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon never will be, entirely cleared up. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Yes." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it one else, I think." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Then he might have called to you?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? look upon these things in a different way." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "How can you tell that?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and confronted him. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I strong and stiff." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "But the mystery?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his your equipment. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" could go. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "What will you say?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is way: civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' better grown goose." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late swore that no one else had been in the front room during the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you official police." house for five minutes.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It certainly sounds feasible." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her clanging. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Yes, there are nearly always some there." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of whether it answered to the description of any of their out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your for the market.' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Imitated." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he indiscretion." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much where we are going." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, to take care of herself." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, I shall communicate with you." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "My dear Holmes!" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's himself. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature