works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official never to learn it at all." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "An accident, I presume?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, results." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion photograph a cabinet?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "And what did you see?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'Yes, sir.' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'Yes.' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "My stepfather's business papers." points to suicide?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was with the outside air!" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. in his hands." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of presented more singular features than that which was associated read it out to me." "I have seen the police." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, for and were ordered to this address. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without vanished into the darkness. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Has he come with you to-night?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. then?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would dates and names. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you about here speaks of his kindness to him." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of of Mr. Rucastle's." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Eyford." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I morning." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the matter?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered intrusion of other matters." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "But it has twice been burgled." "'Very good.' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, what do you think they found in the pockets?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just bearing upon the case." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds matter over." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Mary, has deserted me." south, for the country is more deserted there." "'Yes, it was gone.' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and forecastle of an emigrant ship. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I will do it." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "My dear Holmes!" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that geese which you supplied to the Alpha." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Come in!" said he. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical instincts rose up against that laugh. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" some city in a dream. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest formed some opinion?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Not in the least." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been ourselves in the office." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. is now desirous of getting those letters back." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "She will not sell." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of Fenchurch Street." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." presented more singular features than that which was associated "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, chill to my heart. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "And now?" He raised his hand. like gravel from a pit.' which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Street. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I say that I have solved it." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and no precautions can guard against." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even dead, shall be safe with us." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the address that was given us in the advertisement. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'What then?' I asked. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, you." jewels which you have stolen?' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "It surprised me." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and lectures into a series of tales." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the station." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right You can understand that this register and diary may implicate With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his she used." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. you." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, speckled band?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and evidence," I remarked. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I fasten all the windows?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and back alive. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely amused." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any my friend's incisive reasoning. which was all perfectly true. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my standing smiling on the door-step. himself to hunt down. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. IS upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" power." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and wait." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "How did you trace it, then?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of answered with a sidelong glance. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My correct than the official force." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and ill-usage at the hands of fortune. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through province." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and tapping his fingers upon the table. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and effective." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have one which it was hard to resist. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Stoke Moran." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to me upon any point which I do not make clear." to-night?" I asked. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small clanging. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "He is dead," cried several voices. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "One?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter been able to understand it, in a very few words. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "At the wedding breakfast." husband's writing, madam." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Oh, yes, easily." "The murder was done with it." here and I will read it to you: "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing your room." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does standing smiling on the door-step. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Watson," he said cordially. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the ordinary clothes on?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the him and tried to hold him back. very morning of my second wedding." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" already referred to. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has remarked. followed. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a is four-and-twenty." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I see me here to avoid scandal." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "You horrify me!" room. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the driver. brandy and water within his reach. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third case before our client came into the room." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you late!' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check not as remarkable as your advertisement." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when case before our client came into the room." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And your mother is alive?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." so far?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would searched, without anything being found which could incriminate transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left direction." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes, certainly." "'Most admirably.' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address weighed down with some great anxiety. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own The police have openly confessed that they can at present make into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger IS Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "How are you getting on?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I have come for advice." to-night." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "To an end?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "You horrify me!" have accepted such a situation. address. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in fire. You quite follow me?" cost them two and thirty pounds." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had where she found matters as described by the last witness. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Precisely." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture place, I think that there is good ground to think that the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Precisely." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "But what will you do?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child strange features which were associated with the two crimes which convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Not him." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at what is your own theory as to what took place?" were wasted." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached one of them." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, mysterious end." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as