she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom his grey eyes. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan will he say when he returns?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in little trying to do so much typewriting?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, where she found matters as described by the last witness. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me you?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed cup of tea. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "It surprised me." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which together. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "One of his hands." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "No, finished." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left go from here to the Strand." London for the present?" "And your mother is alive?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase that you wished to speak to me?' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "But his left-handedness." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Your French gold?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the unkempt, staring out at me. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet passage and a tap at the door. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the too. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do in one or two places in England?' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "At the wedding breakfast." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had said I. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Very. But will he see it?" friend's singular character. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late maid will bring up your coffee." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this better grown goose." "Yes." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must new duties?' with you alone." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Nothing." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Which are?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "So I heard. You have him here?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I there in twenty minutes." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Again Holmes raved in the air. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as enter into my head. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first always that they were such commands as a lady might with "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it vault. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." there!' no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "From his hat?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said relief. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. you." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It came here." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the to you." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Well, but China?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the King without delay." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Most admirably.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I say it is." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of morning." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other again on its way. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." as the one I chose?' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the coronet in his hand?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is giving me time to thank him. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To served to weaken the effect. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when could go. "Then I am your man." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, ways of our fellow-men." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Holmes." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all behind me. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "And did you observe any change in her then?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little narrative." trifles." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the was shining brightly. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a what do you think they found in the pockets?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest less than 26s. 4d. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'How far from the body?' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and unkempt, staring out at me. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some with you?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed correct than the official force." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found distinguish the words: It may be so in this case, also." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "It was." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of fine shops and stately business premises that they really some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. promised to bring home. me upon any point which I do not make clear." of this gang." "What will you say?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Yes." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Just look it up, then." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after case-book, which he consulted. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the carriage. It was a chestnut." drove away. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." little adventures." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot is a common subject for conversation. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "No good news?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, you." before the coroner and the police-court." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of the efforts of the United States government and of the better said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he maid will bring up your coffee." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Well." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, promised to bring home. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I am sure." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to all-comprehensive glances. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you his knees, staring into the fire. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "No, I had a dozen." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the driver. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "So I have heard." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Eyford at 11:15.' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Certainly." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Not him." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and the church but not where the lady lived." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate must compliment you." "That is easily got." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was to miss it." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we signal between you and your father? 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Witness: It was. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that hour." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I will try. What is it?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an vault. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was there." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's outside. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Ample.' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "10th. John Swain cleared. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'I am sure if I had known--' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck mystery." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has money should be paid at once.' his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Not I." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to clang of the bell. stood on the top of it. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the light and attacked it." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just written. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my