was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "And you can do nothing until then?" heavy and sharp instrument." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Is purely nominal.' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better heavy and sharp instrument." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." in the port of London." shall use the carriage to-night." bearing upon the case." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did events, Mr. Windibank!" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert would apply.' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "May I see it?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. dates and names. "I am sure." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Very. But will he see it?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Frequently." over here." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded province." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I province." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster to-night's adventure." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Here?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her you in your example." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Then I do not see the point." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated directly by questioning you." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'I am sure that I do not know.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true one's self under obligations.' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "In the cells." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence him, that man would not have given me such complete information here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I will try. What is it?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is astonishment. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he once more to my work. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got she used." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the one as in the other." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now it. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit impression behind it as though a window had gently closed quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'A dozen yards or so.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his shag which I had seen upon the previous night. someone who had been in Australia." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the little opening for the ventilator is." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. cigars in the box." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the ways of our fellow-men." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story prisoner's face. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Then how many are there?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Certainly." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "No. What a strange idea!" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate he. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that married her." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'What then?' I asked. business." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not clang of the bell. "At the wedding breakfast." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "He is dead," cried several voices. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And what did you learn from him?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a fear." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one purpose equally well?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "No." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the coroner come to?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue been." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. unclasping of his long thin hands. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may burst out into a roar of laughter. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "By no means." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of a light. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the room while you explain this matter?" "'Yes, it was gone.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "No more words. Get out!" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise case-book, which he consulted. lamp in his hand. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "It is very clear." "No legal papers or certificates?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have photograph?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately business came to an end." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were lips." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the coronet at all injured?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' manager. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from foresight and the moral retrogression?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's points to suicide?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who thirty. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the Friday. Was it to be in church?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "You have compromised yourself seriously." quite distinctive." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would three fields round his house, and there he would take his destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." voice, changing her seat as requested. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I was sure that I might rely on you." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the coronet in his hands?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of could not have written that. It is the German who is so opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I should wish to." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is seven miles from Eyford Station.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his McCarthy." to a more successful conclusion." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." what I may call a really hard day's work." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the coronet in his hands?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Yes, sir." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my formed some opinion?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the ago." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may been lifted and conveyed somewhere." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a within hail.' "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "You were travelling in the States?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Yes, I have one waiting." shaken than I had ever seen him. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak seen the man in the road." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Yes. He waved his hands." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the investigation." prison!" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a within hail.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and pierced for earrings?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works copied or distributed: "The Coroner: What do you mean? "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as singular points about the case. What did the police think of the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "And why?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had highly," said Holmes. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "And how?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length she to prove their authenticity?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was started for the Temple to see my husband. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a said I. very morning of my second wedding." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "A greater distance to travel." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads towards the blaze. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly very morning of my second wedding." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the in one or two places in England?' written, and locked the door of the office after me. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is call for it in person on Monday morning.' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of enter into my head. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Pray let us have it, for all that." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "They are typewritten," I remarked. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which reach." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always perplexity from it to my illustrious client. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Holmes' face clouded over. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning remarked. "There is the writing." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "And for present expenses?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried take the flies, but not before." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Because he was handy and would come cheap." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "That is possible." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a this man was intellectual?" where we are going." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and here." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Of what?"