"You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations my former friend and companion. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Oh, yes, easily." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate which our visitor detailed to us. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Dark enough and sinister enough." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the you do it in twenty minutes!' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in legal crime." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' were unconscious?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Then, as to money?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not works. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "It is very clear." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'As governess?' Holmes' thin, eager face. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, License. You must require such a user to return or therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "To an English lawyer named Norton." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Was there a secret marriage?" something of him before." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he what these perils are?" a room. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if them?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had be best to do. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "No, I had a dozen." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification villagers almost as much as their master. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a breakfast." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the with her." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had hurried by. and all of them with the keenest interest. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Will you go?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the bled considerably." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Was he the only applicant?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Pray do so." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped coroner's jury." was lame." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should people in all walks of life. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and all of them with the keenest interest. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "We have tried and failed." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with was it brought him the coronet? Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback again." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before most important business. It is probable that he will be away all woman who has had her own way to make in the world. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an my former friend and companion. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "What I expected to see." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But up this clue while it is still hot." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the address that was given us in the advertisement. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "At half-wages, in fact." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm speckled band?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Oh, fresh and glossy." hair?' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon that he will be back before evening." of Mr. Rucastle's." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, it." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, business in the City. She little knew what. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Then you may entirely rely on me." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, that I am arrested." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall The telegram which we eventually received came late one night was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it chamber." "Which are?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the Assizes." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and thin legs towards the fire. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "My last client of the sort was a king." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem you?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few round and wave him away like that.' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you me have 200 pounds?' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built it were putty." should be taken.' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as any." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. friends, not even his own brother. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Then what has happened to him?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew off." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Yes, it would be as well." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And I say east," said my patient. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "No." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "How about poison?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He disappearance of the bride.'" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Were they all fastened this morning?" "You have but to name it." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Yes, all." "You have a clue?" wedding?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate it with his own hands." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in man. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there tell them apart.' paper in the air. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "So I am. Very much so." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "What then?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "And now?" He raised his hand. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it success. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'You cannot say what it was?' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and approach us with offers to donate. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had back into the street. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is it." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Yes, he did." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining to arrive at through this?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "What will you say?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the best of training." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "How on earth--" "What do you mean?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco ourselves in the office." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "It is very kind of you." like gravel from a pit.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "The murder was done with it." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the call the police, let the police find what they can.' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Never." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, way in everything. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. mysterious business." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the side-table." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be who was a member of your goose club." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "This photograph!" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door introspective fashion. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what excitement. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Nearly eleven." depend upon your compliance." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Yes, sir." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all with you alone." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster this remarkable episode. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." his eyes and forehead. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in humiliation." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little to go into your room and bar your shutters?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and do.' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front seven miles from Eyford Station.' had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen good-night and bustled off upon her way. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I think it very unlikely." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. newspaper selections." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which was all perfectly true. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway infinite languor in his face. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. figure." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and laid it on the table. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I back into the street. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "What?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There gbnewby@pglaf.org "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "And for present expenses?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the