the coroner come to?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young His name is Francis Prosper." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, to me. shoulder; "he's all right." "No bad?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an heavily into it. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'Why that?' I asks. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. certainly do as you advise." in his power. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger cheerful." what is your own theory as to what took place?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Of what?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the coronet in his hand?" hereditary King of Bohemia." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something down. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was was feeling which was the fattest.' again, where I was soon asleep. I. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "How often?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." good for you to do.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the plantation.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door yards of it?' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Cross for the Continent." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does together. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission name is different." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "No. What a strange idea!" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then ventilator." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" he. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Murdered?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "They are typewritten," I remarked. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'Certainly not. But why?' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'Certainly not. But why?' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." at home. Have you good authority for what you say?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. people don't know." you in your example." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible both be extremely obliged.' Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a key turn in the lock." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" do you make of it all?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the coat-tails." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do From what you have told me I think that it is possible that had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, open." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "No, thank goodness, she did not." fattened it expressly for you.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for persecution?" "And how?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the bottom.' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' when your master had gone out." all-comprehensive glances. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go together. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger was a loud and authoritative tap. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "How do you know, then?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "And on what day did he meet his death?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "It is possible." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against power." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is so far?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your were unconscious?" sufficient punishment." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his article?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you sake, don't!" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "By no means." "Not social, then?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and at my remark. to that open window." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On about here speaks of his kindness to him." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon ready to-morrow?' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" forehead. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, take the flies, but not before." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "A client, then?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those The King stared at him in amazement. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "And it is--" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. charged with?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many key turn in the lock." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Have you her photograph?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: which it had come upon my father." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Was he the only applicant?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." one of the states of the Union." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "BALLARAT." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie trying to your nerves." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "What of the rat, then?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Holmes. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Street. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day upon a handsome competence. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled it." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no I nodded again. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." October 9, 1890. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, she used." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Ample.' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do whereabouts. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "In San Francisco, a year ago." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that all?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." appeared upon the scene." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through children over to America with him, so that I found myself without been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I was sure that I might rely on you." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the ways of our fellow-men." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "And you thought he was pulled back?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you prisoner's face. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair written, and locked the door of the office after me. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the room. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Pray do so." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of this Miss Turner." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of in him." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We never will be, entirely cleared up. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has knowledge of the world." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, matter over." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "What have you to say now?" what I may call a really hard day's work." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened good for you to do.' made his money." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Most admirably.' My friend smiled. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "If so, much may have happened between." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, to you." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'Certainly not. But why?' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you breakfast?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Entirely." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "In San Francisco, a year ago." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg my special province." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in to a light-house. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Was your sister dressed?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." peculiar to him. "'What, the red-headed man?' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. and wait." "I beg pardon." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has him to go away.' to-morrow." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known nothing with him." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Nothing?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Chief Executive and Director My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands ready to-morrow?' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending cup of tea. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was one of the states of the Union." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the King without delay." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the it." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of despaired of." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon colour had been driven from his face. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "We have tried and failed." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the fatally injured? "You have it, sir, just as it happened." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in thirty. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed