gigantic client. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "But not more so than I to find you." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Then how many are there?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Is purely nominal.' southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to affect your life." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the official police." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your chemical work which was so dear to him. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the station." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg indeed happy." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Sutherland. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the up this clue while it is still hot." strode off upon his way. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich over with notes and figures. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will carpenter." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." invisible to me," I remarked. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Your presence might be invaluable." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is placed his cuttings. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend correct than the official force." quite distinctive." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same call you and give you the chance." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled bird of prey. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss from the brougham. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Has he come with you to-night?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Then I do not see the point." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, before the coroner and the police-court." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "What then?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Then I do not see the point." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several in his power. already referred to. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Is he quiet?" October 9, 1890. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Not in a good cause." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "That is it on the dressing-table." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, absorbing." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue indeed happy." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Precisely." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "What of the rat, then?" becomes even more simple." whatever might befall. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as strode off upon his way. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told yards of it?' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some said I. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "He said too much." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been careless servant girl?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out went to the Alpha were town bred." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is drawing your inferences." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler breakfast and whispered something to her husband. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "That sounds a little paradoxical." "What! You do not mean bodies?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Edgeware Road. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "He said that you could solve anything." Munro.' it." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the to that open window." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Which are?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; me, and I could not think that his explanation of the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon make me his representative both with the servants and with the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "If I can be of use." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of all-comprehensive glances. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "That is also quite modern," said the lady. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case dates and names. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'Ten to two.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "It looks newer than the other things?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the against a man in the prime of life?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "But to whom?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove like that before?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me letters?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Then how many are there?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "It is his hat." forebodings. States. writer." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of business." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I promise," said Holmes. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, notes," he said. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he thought that she would have been so carried away." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though behind me. at once, for I have only half an hour." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Who by?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything washing it down with a long draught of water. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Perfectly so." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "But the mystery?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "No, distinctly professional." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some call it cruel." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. thought that she would have been so carried away." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that several quiet little villages up there." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime mystery may be cleared along those lines." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or humiliation." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I to-night?" I asked. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs into the room. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the time." him, that man would not have given me such complete information saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have friend's singular character. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you night.' said he. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "It is half-past ten now." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more of receipt of the work. "My private note-paper." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a here and I will read it to you: painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Bought." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have walking." existence." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him The King stared at him in amazement. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was suspect him." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed was used.' fled together." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted sentimental considerations in the background which would induce benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Where, then?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read your Highness to the police-station?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left that I can to serve you." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "What will you say?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as prison!" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. cigars in their mouths. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Street. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, in the port of London." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "You think that he is dead?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind nice household for a young lady." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in tear off another piece?' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black not interfere, come what may. You understand?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Then let me do so?' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of point our research must commence, and we will begin it by We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Stolen." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "No. What a strange idea!" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent long narrative. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. British peeress.'" "What have you done?" asked Holmes.