business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Stoke Moran." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He morning." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. copied or distributed: 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the coroner come to?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the very morning of the wedding." the warnings." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, here and I will read it to you: "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Certainly." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would gone. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was questionable one." His smile broadened. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his there." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. do.' Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his copied or distributed: "Then, how do you know?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, me have 200 pounds?' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "You saw the ventilator, too?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Was your sister dressed?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I away to you." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the general public were present, then?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest society." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. might have a private word with us. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the roots. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders detained." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a quick march!" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that it were putty." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my front of me. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Proceed, then." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. with you alone." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she carriage. It was a chestnut." forebodings. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet definite end. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "No." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." business matters.' "I am to be neutral?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I prison!" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to client, rising. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a pictures, libraries, or plate. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the warnings." "To an end?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Then he might have called to you?" bears upon the case?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's a good hundred miles off by now." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Come in!" said he. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the general public were present, then?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'Tell me all about it,' said I. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very to some other building. and no precautions can guard against." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "It goes to the housekeeper's room." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the conduct the inquiry." knowledge of the world." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'And what salary do you ask?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And how have you succeeded?" "But what is it you wish?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence official police." bonnet, and went out." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I think that it is very probable." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, said he. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it kindly on the shoulder. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, closing the door. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable carried out of court." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with passage and a tap at the door. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that enter Dr. Roylott's room." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "What! Had he lost his wife?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked I. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to that I can to serve you." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Ten will be early enough." minor matters until to-morrow." should be so warm over such a trifle." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the remarked. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "My dear Holmes!" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Yes, all." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few of the one which your family is now devouring." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Yes, I have one waiting." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, awaited us upon the table. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram upon the sideboard." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "He slept on the premises." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough speckled band?" said he. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, rose-bushes. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to money should be paid at once.' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Stolen." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I cannot say that I have." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so been deceived." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "And what then?" "It must be recovered." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his instituted." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have if she died from some sudden fright." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." exactly what you advise." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do was not a bird to be seen there. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "I cannot say that I have." evidence," I remarked. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Why did you pick him?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, observed. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it three fields round his house, and there he would take his "And how did you verify them?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Very murderous indeed." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this should be so warm over such a trifle." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out was the fact that his father should, according to his account, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Yes, it was gone.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair are, and they are waiting for us." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in would then never go into court at all." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that his eyes and forehead. the room while you explain this matter?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Yes, sir." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and helping a boy to put up the shutters. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while relief. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "It is very clear." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Why did you pick him?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another have got?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "You forget that I know nothing about it." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. behind me. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same waste of energy." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by strode off upon his way. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I have come for advice." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his served to weaken the effect. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and secret." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "But you would not advise me to refuse?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. returning from some small jollification and was making his way leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "To ruin me." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "What is it, then--a fire?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, business?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." were wasted." "What will you do, then?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so have one." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "One horse?" interjected Holmes. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I helping a boy to put up the shutters. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable