her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "No." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I will, Miss Turner." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the newspaper selections." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to have been novel and of interest." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper have I gained?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was knowledge of the world." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. charged with?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Ten will be early enough." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who notes," he said. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, for securing the situation." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. tell me that you intended to go into harness." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his indeed happy." lamp. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter himself in a perplexing position. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "It looks newer than the other things?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was over with notes and figures. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange cigars in their mouths. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and I. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no stepfather?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "On your arm?" I shall communicate with you." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice room?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly children over to America with him, so that I found myself without whatever might befall. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Seven!" I answered. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. trying to your nerves." "Yes?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just papers." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he or other trace. But how on earth--" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "There is the writing." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be during that time.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that For additional contact information: saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when overpowering excitement and concern. as yours." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Now, then, what's the last entry?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," fattened it expressly for you.' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, tension within him. looking up at the numbers of the houses." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey easy-going way." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "It is his hat." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge tell them apart.' "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very telegram would bring me down to your help." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "He might." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were flock.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps has little to do with my story." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the a monotonous occupation." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. just ask you whether you had heard it.' I am not easy in my mind about them." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "The best possible." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." to Leatherhead. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I have my revolver," said I. Serpentine Avenue. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever corner of the building. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and writing, and yet I know it well." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the matter." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Arthur Conan Doyle success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of fire. You quite follow me?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am bedroom door." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, been able to understand it, in a very few words. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement woman who has had her own way to make in the world. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be man. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "He might." I was concerned in it." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "What will you say?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From present." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the south-west, I see." tell them apart.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to unprecedented a position." "You think so, too?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be you give your casting vote to?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said chemical work which was so dear to him. waste of energy." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom gone. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria was a perfect sample of the class. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of second." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and that you wished to speak to me?' read it out to me." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Then how many are there?" sofa. This way, please!" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I should be immensely obliged to you." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the that there was nothing in it, after all." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "It is solved." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with them?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the again, where I was soon asleep. to have that photograph." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he to-night?' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Lestrade of Scotland Yard." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New during that time.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. excitement. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon it." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we might have a private word with us. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached again before evening." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My anything to do with the matter?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "One of the highest in England." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at bird of prey. strength in the others." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My shall not find me ungrateful." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. tied." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked murdered man." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the said I. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall introspective fashion. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about companion imperturbably. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George http://www.gutenberg.net moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I visitors." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Not yet." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "We must have a cab." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." when you have done it." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I answered that I had not. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the bearing upon the case." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for where we are going." "And now?" I asked. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and see me here to avoid scandal." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "It surprised me." upon the sideboard." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the jewels which you have stolen?' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Cross for the Continent." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "By no means." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. quite distinctive." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR British peeress.'" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step delighted to hear it," he said. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than