Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "What of the rat, then?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge tear off another piece?' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable been shamefully used." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use fashion which was peculiar to him. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that very morning of my second wedding." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the little opening for the ventilator is." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, been with you?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a about here speaks of his kindness to him." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. humiliation." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "No." fire. You quite follow me?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "One of his hands." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Not yet." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney congratulate you again." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, had died away into the silence from which it rose. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither place no limit on the sum I may draw." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. might have a private word with us. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the inner apartment." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a bearing upon the case." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." other, as fresh and trim as possible. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" people don't know." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of see me here to avoid scandal." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found not fit the lock." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "The knees of his trousers." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his father's place of business?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the stones. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed with you?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, affection." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew chemical work which was so dear to him. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Yes?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the mysterious business." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" been with you?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "And how in the world did you find them?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and sake, don't!" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the roots. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'Very good.' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who that you wished to speak to me?' new duties?' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "No." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and open." "I am in hopes that she does." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "None." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "A call for help, you thought?" questionable one." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I think that it is very probable." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And now?" I asked. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his throat." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Whose house is it?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Yes." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and himself. must be when I saw the door open.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Not social, then?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Not him." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire country, and eventually married, without anyone having a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then tell them apart.' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT out of this horrible affair." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and yards of it?' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start will he say when he returns?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the to have been novel and of interest." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." voice. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, disappearance of the bride.'" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to should be so warm over such a trifle." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his done what I asked you, Jones?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "How can you tell that?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'What, the red-headed man?' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the coronet in his hands?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "So I heard. You have him here?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Watson," he said cordially. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. results." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us forebodings. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. of receipt of the work. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Nothing." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Yes." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "ARAT," I read. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Certainly." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the Red-headed League." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "How on earth--" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "He might." side. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I came to find a friend." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Bought." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from golden eyeglasses. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw wife's character?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "It is no ordinary one." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce furiously. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had be sorry for having acted so harshly." window when the police appeared." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. beg that you will break it off." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'I am sure that I do not know.' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return to tell." "Could he throw no light?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "No bad?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. neither fascinating nor artistic." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." congenial hunt. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "How did that help you?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Do you go out much in society?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your answered with a sidelong glance. "What can you not understand?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Holmes rather sternly. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'I have already given you my word.' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door get her out of the way." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right minor matters until to-morrow." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of showing my impatience. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, miles off. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil to tackle the facts." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the instituted." of the vacancies.'