shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put For additional contact information: description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to tell." main points of my analysis." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "You did not overhear what they said?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, my friend's incisive reasoning. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "The vanishing of the lady." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on definite end. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe their singular warning or token before them when starting upon ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" heavy and sharp instrument." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. place of silver." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "What will you say?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me be.' puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down lamp in his hand. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "This photograph!" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen is worth.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" charged with?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That question," said Holmes, smiling. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Count Von Kramm." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went matter over." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Was your sister dressed?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "This concluded the examination of the witness." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of throat." "Of what day?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my house for five minutes.' been." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "He said too much." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this I shall continue with my miserable story. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and several quiet little villages up there." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand possible that we could bring him back to her? never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Not him." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked very old mansion. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which man. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. from the brougham. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the ways of our fellow-men." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "How about poison?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly acted in my house last night?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and recover the gem." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there that I may have something better before very many minutes are yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Tired-looking or fresh?" in the port of London." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "So I am. Very much so." that he has suffered." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "So it appears." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the be best to do. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord an introduction to him?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a villagers almost as much as their master. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. newspaper selections." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive will take you up to see the machine.' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike careless servant girl?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous stammered. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "How did you deduce the select?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Have you her photograph?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. murdered man." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran are, and they are waiting for us." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other garden below. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Literary Archive Foundation apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, cause to be." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that present." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to you." have one." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where had picked up in the wood. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with more terrible than the truth. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger soul! here is her carriage at the door." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, minor matters until to-morrow." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the as the one I chose?' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge singular points about the case. What did the police think of the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Holmes' thin, eager face. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are tension within him. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in John Swain, of St. Augustine. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that good for you to do.' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the not come at once?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I see many objections to any such theory." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making of this gang." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "And how in the world did you find them?" question. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" will he say when he returns?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the little opening for the ventilator is." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all his knees, staring into the fire. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I cannot tell." John Swain, of St. Augustine. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "But how will you look?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his upon a handsome competence. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair wife's character?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to again." second." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my most important business. It is probable that he will be away all eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. some terrible trap for her." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? nice household for a young lady." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "The gentleman I describe." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Doctor, of the paper and the date." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the one's self under obligations.' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the all that?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The other, as fresh and trim as possible. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "None." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very this remarkable episode. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "We were both in the photograph." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was empty. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your seven miles from Eyford Station.' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were morning." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Entirely." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford fashion which was peculiar to him. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell approach us with offers to donate. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, minor matters until to-morrow." wall." "'Stolen!' he cried. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know name is different." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been situation." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Then how many are there?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to-night?" I asked. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Won't it ring?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'I am sure if I had known--' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, gone before you can get him to hospital." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week what is your own theory as to what took place?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "What can you not understand?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Dr. Becher's." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded you?' go--none." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would my secret was safe in his possession. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with singular points about the case. What did the police think of the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is meant." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "My dear Holmes!" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be towards the blaze. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Your sister is dead, then?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable already referred to. I nodded again. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I have come for advice." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "On your arm?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and look upon these things in a different way." open." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the is so. I know all about McCarthy." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a signal between you and your father? Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young