wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. again, where I was soon asleep. easy-going way." Holmes' face clouded over. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Stoke Moran." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather never to learn it at all." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and wait." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he You can understand that this register and diary may implicate should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Nor running a chance of arrest?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman nights." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his will find little credit to be gained out of this case." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And your father? Did you tell him?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." obstinate." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "That is it on the dressing-table." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits outbreak?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Heh?' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" companion. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and call you and give you the chance." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "On Monday." "In what way?" asked Holmes. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and keep the flames under. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "And how?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this not as remarkable as your advertisement." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Eyford at 11:15.' quickly through a disagreeable task. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "What then?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very see me here to avoid scandal." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "The gentleman I describe." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of him!" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "And who is her maid?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it new acquaintance to Baker Street. lumber-room." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very a good hundred miles off by now." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." you give your casting vote to?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "What shall I do?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up charge against him will break down." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the did not hear it also.' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Your French gold?" lips." License. You must require such a user to return or possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to taking in every detail of the apartment. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat companion imperturbably. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if respectable self." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His when your master had gone out." "Well?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous himself in a perplexing position. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Not yet." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the populous neighbourhood." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman hardly wander." "In heaven's name, what for?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Yes." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town as yours." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Pool. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in during the last few years, and there are many noble families to was a lad." could gather together that I was able to avert another public who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush locked." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the driver. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an was feeling which was the fattest.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the have got?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible in the port of London." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Yes, but only for you and me." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but villagers almost as much as their master. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear woman." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "You did not overhear what they said?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Was your sister dressed?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "How on earth--" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." go--none." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "It is his hat." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' for and were ordered to this address. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It is possible." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" him and tried to hold him back. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I have hopes." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of guilty one." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "One of his hands." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a to a more successful conclusion." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "But we can't all be." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm to me. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even reach." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to a good hundred miles off by now." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" had formerly been in part my own. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the within hail.' a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Entirely." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps face and glided from the room. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Nothing." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "That is unusual in a young girl." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying happened." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he jewels which you have stolen?' the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy pound a week." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'Which dealer's?' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have out of this horrible affair." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "To an English lawyer named Norton." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon question. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Nothing." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, all-comprehensive glances. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'What are you doing there?' he asked. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he I nodded to show that I had heard. lectures into a series of tales." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "But his lameness?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a excitement. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked unprofitable." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as distinguish the words: retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and laid it on the table. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. rose-bushes. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Count Von Kramm." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "In what way?" asked Holmes. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may bare slabs of marble. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, fait accompli?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Your French gold?" "Holmes, the busybody!" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning chance at all." it." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Upon what point?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "It is possible." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a had formerly been in part my own. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. was shining brightly. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled wedding?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me copied or distributed: directors have had misgivings upon the subject." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that papers." "Was she in good spirits?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was business came to an end." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. directors, with the result that you have seen." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I am about to be married." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "You will not go there first?" Holmes' room. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Won't it ring?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I nodded again. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is disappearance of these gems?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would fishes. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Sutherland?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his