"'Why that?' I asks. me. You must get home instantly and act." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'Is purely nominal.' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Only as much as we can deduce." "I will not look." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered it. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The prove to be little relation between the different incidents of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "What! Had he lost his wife?" furiously. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the shoulder. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would did not hear it also.' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an her also." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "My private note-paper." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' lamp in his hand. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, friend's singular character. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added taking in every detail of the apartment. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and putting in the horse. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook official police." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked union?" even of instruction." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. within hail.' glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Eh? What was that?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell grasp, he hurried from the room. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Is he quiet?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "'Quite sure, dad.' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Pope's Court. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his passage and a tap at the door. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. paper in the air. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question arrangements." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. in his hands." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that of a light. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing keep the flames under. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect hard-headed British jury." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." returned to France?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the best of training." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the nursery. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Count Von Kramm." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered imbecility!" he cried. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Well, but China?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, delighted to hear it," he said. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped article?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her point our research must commence, and we will begin it by weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions sake, don't!" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Never." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had upon a handsome competence. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may James Windibank. Voilà tout!" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations little trying to do so much typewriting?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual signal between you and your father? down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the young Openshaw's." careless servant girl?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Have you it here?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "That is easily got." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the very letters. But what is this written above them?' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I am following you closely," I answered. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there to you." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "On your arm?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital up this clue while it is still hot." what do you think they found in the pockets?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom started for the Temple to see my husband. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. your own bird, so if you wish--" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips business came to an end." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from hard-headed British jury." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "What, then?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for know that the truth is known." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and chamber." daring than any effort of the imagination." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "None. Neville wrote those words." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I am all attention, madam." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "If so, much may have happened between." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't were new raised from a basin. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "By train from Waterloo." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Breckinridge is his name." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons I have it here in my museum." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Why did you beat the pavement?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and your troubles." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'Oh, no.' was not a bird to be seen there. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind himself to tell his story. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I don't believe it." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'And the work?' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Then what has happened to him?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some mysterious end." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, wedding?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "You think that he is dead?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "But you were on a friendly footing?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "That sounds a little paradoxical." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "You horrify me." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and other means.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship kindly on the shoulder. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and glanced through. "What, then?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his plantation.' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered purpose of examination. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'Very good.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted My friend smiled. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was himself. the ceiling. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was ways of our fellow-men." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." go back?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. to tell." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "It surprised me." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "And how in the world did you find them?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "You did not overhear what they said?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those breakfast." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you cheerful." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "But of what society?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for upon a handsome competence. is," said he presently: the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his for its centre. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally written, and locked the door of the office after me. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the not fit the lock." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "In which, sir?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the front of me. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "No, but the enclosure is." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. little adventures." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Yes." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to had picked up in the wood. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, lamp. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and lectures into a series of tales." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'In my own bureau.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the window, rose as we entered. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in girl said." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the if I call to-morrow?" asked. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I would pay ten." off." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the time." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "No bad?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were system of imprisonment?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. your co-operation." "Yes. He waved his hands." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which instincts rose up against that laugh. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the or in danger--" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "He is dead," cried several voices. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and the whole place is in a blaze." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were